Results tagged “extra”

• Who says the Catholic Church doesn't love basketball and a little friendly wager? Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony is putitng a case of Angels-labeled wine on the line up against Orlando's Bishop Thomas Wenski's three key lime pies (Florida's official state pie), four pounds of fresh shrimp, and a bottle of oxygen. The oxygen is Wenski's poke at LA's dirty air. Is it even right to have a snarky comeback against a Bishop?
• MySpace is reaching out to older musicians to reel in the older demographic because we don't go there anymore. If you don't remember, MySpace is the social site that you used post Friendster and before switching to Facebook and Twitter.
• A man named David Schwartz threw a bolt from his car while shouting a derogatory name at Special Olympics runners yesterday, and is now behind bars awaiting a Friday hearing. Enough said.

• Note to self: Don't Tweet vaca. plans. One SF man, tweeted about his family vacation and came back to a ransacked apartment. Everyone's a suspect!
• Green LA Girl wants to test your penis knowledge. Correctly identify the phallus in the picture to be entered for a chance to win a "big package."
• It was only a matter of time... The "off-the-leashers" are gunning for their own park in Venice. They're actually only going for the hours of 6:30 am - 8 a.m, but still being met with a lot of opposition from local residents. Baby steps...

• A Costa Mesa man (possibly?) became the oldest American to scale Mount Everest. 67-year-old, Bill Burke stated he climbed because he, "wanted to be the oldest American who ever stood on top."
• Circuit City is back! At least their website is, but don't even think about returning anything you purchase.
• The president of the Los Angeles Police Commission, Anthony Pacheco, unexpectedly announced his resignation today. Pacheco is proud of the progress made during his service on the Commission, but now is returning full-time to his law firm, Proskauer Ros, to work on several "time-consuming assignments."

Denver gets the Lakers at home on Monday night, we get their WWE spillover. Scheduling conflicts always arise during the playoffs, but it's cool, Denver, you could've kept the WWE show, we would have gladly hosted the game... Redondo residents have been getting ripped off at the pump, and not from gas prices. | Since October, over 1,000 victims have been "skimmed" by using their ATM card at an Arco gas station on PCH. Police are getting closer to the suspects who have stolen $200,000 in just the last two weeks from victims' accounts.

Los Angeles has welcomed the Kogi Korean BBQ truck with open arms. The OC needs to make sure Kogi is official... | NBCLA wants to wish you a Happy 10th Anniversary of standing in line for Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Yes, it was 10-years ago when you waited 42-days outside of Mann's Chinese, only to run back to your mom's basement and promptly seek solace after the film.

• Arcadia High's prom is being edited. The school's Women's Health and Issues Club has gotten 20 songs banned from being played at prom because they are degrading to women - referring to them as "'bitches' and 'hos.'" Only 20 songs? Looks like the Electric Slide will finally get its 3-hour solo.
• Green LA Girl is challenging you to a week-long-eco-challenge. Can you go a week without a car?
• Speaking of going without a car, did you celebrate Bike to Work Day, today?
• Tijuana and Hollywood might as well be cousins-first-removed. Don't believe it? Stop by Farmlab tomorrow at noon to hear Jim Heimann guide you through Tijuana's link to Tinseltown.
• Sad story in Encino this morning. A fiery car crash left two dead at Burbank Boulevard near Balboa Boulevard. The cause of the crash is unknown.
• SoCal's Modern Hiker is covering an interesting story out of Utah. Long story short, President Clinton protected some land from motorized traffic (ATV's), Bush lifted the ban and people went hog wild off-roadin', now Obama wants to put the protection back on the land. The ATV riders are none too happy about this...
• There was a crazy robbery today in Lake Forest when shotgun carrying robbers stole thousands of dollars of goods and about 70 iPhones from an AT&T store. Nobody was hurt, and the getaway car was found abandoned a short time later. One would expect to see the sale of iPhones on craigslist to spike, no?
• Full Street Closure Announcement - "Up" Premiere Date/Time: From Friday, May 15, 2009 10:00 a.m. to Sunday, May 17, 2009 12:00 a.m. Details: All eastbound lanes of Hollywood Blvd., between Highland Ave. and Orange Dr., will be closed from 10 a.m. on May 15 to 3 a.m. on May 16. All lanes of Hollywood Blvd., between Highland Ave. and Orange Dr., will be closed from 3 a.m. on May 16 to 12 a.m. on May 17.
• Want to Win tix to the Theatre@Boston Court's Vampire Show in Pasadena? Head on over here and let us know where you'd eat before or after the play!

UCLA just got hit yesterday with $31,000 in fines for 3 safety violations in a lab mishap that left one woman dead....

• StylistLA survey: Wear or not wear a surgical mask when traveling through LAX?
• Twitter is fun and all the rage these days (of course you're following LAist, right?), but are you twittering too much? We consumers are a funny breed - using then abusing every new trend until they're left lifeless on the ground, then we're off to feed again. "If you’re bragging about a book you wrote, or telling the Twittersphere that you own two houses, you might be Tweeting Too Hard," says LASnark.
• The East Hollywood Neighborhood Council has declared East Hollywood a "Pedestrian Oriented Community." David Bell, President of EHNC board, said "We're excited to declare East Hollywood a Pedestrian Oriented Community and we're looking forward to working with our neighbors to make our vision of a walkable, livable community a reality."
• The "Newlywed Bandits" were sentenced to his & her prison terms of 78 & 51 months, respectively, today for robbing 5 banks in a three week span back in 2007. Though not married, the dastardly duo were nicknamed the "Newlywed Bandits" by an FBI agent during their arraignment because they "shared romantic gazes into each other's eyes and smiled a lot."
• The LA Times has cut yet another service. In a surprising move, they are cutting the country's biggest non-profit teen newspaper, L.A. Youth. L.A. Youth needs to raise $50,000 to stay afloat, LA Observed (to whom we owe linkage of this article) is donating $100. Are you on board to donate?
• Don't worry about more urban growth anytime soon. As long as the cute and stealthy, Tehachapi slender salamander is around, nobody's building anything.
• Venice residents, particularly in the Oakwood section, be wary of opening your door for young salesmen. Recently, groups of African American boys between the ages of 14 - 16 have been reportedly posing as selling magazine subscriptions, but have assaulted and robbed the residents instead.
• Sad news from the LA Philharmonic today... Steven Witser, Principal Trombone of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, died suddenly of an apparent heart attack in Pasadena last night. “The shock of Steve’s sudden and unexpected death has robbed us of one of our most beloved and respected musicians," lamented Deborah Borda, President and CEO of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, in a statement. "Steve had been with the LA Philharmonic for just under two years and had made a tremendous impact on all of us in that time. He was not only a wonderful player, but a great friend and colleague and very active in the organization. He will be deeply missed." ()

• It's friggin hot and you don't have A/C - here's a few ways to keep it cool.
• Some mannequin's have nipples and that's not okay with grandmothers. A mannequin in the window at Tilly's in Huntington beach left one grandmother "outraged" by the obvious areola. Tilly's was quick to apologize and give her a 20% off-one-item coupon.
• if you got picked on in high school and want to get even at your high school reunion, you might want to follow the lead of Andrea Wachner from Palos Verdes. Wachner hired a stripper to go to her 10 year reunion in her place who explained to everyone that she suffered from amnesia, got plastic surgery and is now a stripper. All the while, Wachner is in the other room feeding her muse lines and filming classmates reactions for a documentary.
• The bank bailout was supposed to encourage banks to lend us more money, but in March, they gave out even less loans than they did in February. Turns out, some banks won't even lend to themselves to finish construction projects.
• Anyone on the 605 last night see a car going the wrong way in the carpool lane? LA Observed has direct reporting from the "without-incident" scene.
• Let's take a break from the news of the world and, just for fun, check out some funny street signs from The Infrastructurist.
• Police need your help finding who stabbed a Pasadena man last night. The unidentified man was able to stumble to a passerby and get to the hospital by paramedic, but later died from his injuries.

• Steve Rocco, was found guilty today for stealing a ketchup bottle from a Chapman University cafeteria. Rocco stated,"this is not over," as he left the courtroom. Let's hope that it is over, because it has already cost taxpayers thousands of dollars!
• LAist's own "Recession Obsessed," Caleb Bacon, explained his motives for finding eats on the cheap to The Daily Bruin. With a name like Bacon, you know the guy's the go-to for food recommendations. If you have no idea what any of this means, check here, here, and here.
• LA Metblogs suggests just cutting to the chase with Obama's high speed rail plans and creating a train between LA and NYC.
• Three women were allegedly sexually assaulted last night at USC's Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. The Fraternity has been suspended by the university during the investigation.
• A 3-alarm fire broke out last night at the South Pasadena Public Works Department Yard. Fire fighters were able to contain the blaze from spreading but damages are estimated to be around $1 million.
• Police released a sketch of a man who stabbed and killed a man in Northridge on Saturday night. Police are seeking to secure a reward for anyone who comes forward with information.
• When you're stuck in Coachella traffic this weekend, take a little stop in Cabazon instead of sitting in the car. There's some worth wile things to do that will kill a few hours of time.
• TRAFFIC ADVISORY - - SOUTHBOUND SEPULVEDA TUNNEL TO BE PARTIALLY CLOSED TOMORROW. The southbound Sepulveda Tunnel will close lanes 2 and 3 tomorrow starting at 9 a.m. until approximately 2 p.m. Lane 1 will remain open. Motorists exiting Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will not have access to Sepulveda Boulevard and the eastbound I-105 onramp.Motorists exiting LAX should expect some delays. The eastbound I-105 can be accessed via east Century Boulevard to Aviation Boulevard heading south. The closure will not affect the northbound Sepulveda lanes. The closure is due to cleaning by Los Angeles Street Services.

• You can't call it "chicken," and now you can't call it "fried." KFC is now grillin' up the "C" in KFC.
• There's only one thing holding up the banishment of plastic bags from the land - plastic legal tape thrown on the cause by... the plastic industry.
• Yeah.... so you're paycheck to paycheck and it's getting old. Consumerist presents some easy ways to save money. Just do these 112 things.
• Here we go... it might be time to start saving water. We don't want to go to 'Stage 2.'
• Great headline of the day - "Shia LeBeouf to High-Five No More"
• Things are not looking good at Variety magazine. Parent company Reed Business Information is cutting 7% of the staff including Variety executive editor Michael Speier. RBI CEO Tad Smith cautioned employees "to be prepared in your personal lives if we need you to take 5-10 unpaid days off this year."
• Last week, John Chong went on a shooting spree at a Roman Catholic Korean retreat killing one woman and wounding her husband. He will be charged with one count of murder and three counts of attempted murder as early as Tuesday.

• Los Angeles - we keep our surplus of fossils in covered crates outside.
• Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa wants you to trade in your guns for groceries.
• Manhattan Beach just got a little more exciting. A sculpture garden will be added beginning this summer and "some with moving parts, are the first batch to be included in a garden that city leaders hope will continue evolving through the years."
• Who says we have homogeneous beliefs in our communities? Inglewood is facing a number of election runoffs, one for city council and few for seats on the Board of Education.
• Playing games could make you money. SoCal is sending 8 people to compete in the National Monopoly Championships in Washington, D.C. If one of them wins there, they're headed to Vegas to compete to be World Champ.
• Jack Wrangler, the "first gay porn star" has died at the age of 62. The cause of death was complications from emphysema. "Although he performed in both gay and straight adult films, he was always open about his homosexuality and considered a hero of the Gay Liberation movement."
• Looking for a good weekend trip? Four hours to the north, there are some good deals up at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park in the classy Wuksachi Lodge. It's pretty exciting up there right now as they just announced that 75 caves have been discovered in the last ten years giving the two parks more than 260. But what's not so cool? Verizon wants a cell phone tower among the sequoia trees.
• Police are looking for gunmen who shot and killed two teens in Harbor City last night. The shooting appears to be gang related.
• Last chance to be entered to win the Silver Level Membership from the Premiere Marquee Club! Free shows are the bestest!

• Smoking is down 41% in California since the state enacted the California Tobacco Control Program 20 years ago. Even youth smoking is at 14.6%, one of the lowest rates in the nation. What gives? Is it mom & dad setting better examples, the in-our-face anti-tobacco campaigns, or just the steady decline of public places to puff?
• The campaign for city attorney is getting a little ridiculous: "Los Angeles city attorney candidate Jack Weiss’ campaign placed its own flattering headline Tuesday over a Los Angeles Times story posted on the campaign website, making it appear that the paper had declared Weiss the winner of the debate."
• If you're sick and tired of work, you're almost right. You're sick and tired work.
• There was some payback for real estater/super graphic abuser, Frank Rahban this weekend. Protesters who live near his super graphics around town brought one to his house and had a nice 'ol fashioned protest.
• Although they're cute and furry, think twice before buying a live bunny rabbit this Easter. Those little cutie-pie's often get turned over to shelter's by purchasers who don't think through what they're getting into.
• For those KCRW fans, Whole Foods Market stores in LA County and Orange County will donate 5% of net sales tomorrow to the radio station. It’s a good day to go shopping! Look for KCRW employees at the Santa Monica location interviewing people for their Facebook page.
• A tragic story out of South Los Angeles. This weekend a woman ran over an ex-boyfriend's girlfriend in her Land Rover, killing the 7 month old unborn child she was carrying. Charges are pending in the death of the unborn child and the woman is in stable condition.
• Contest Time! Win a Silver Level Membership for Tix to the Greek & Gibson Ampitheater. Head over here and tell us what concerts you'd pick.

• "OK," is this the best named restaurant in LA?
• Behold a migration of beauty. Thousands of Painted Lady Butterflies have temporarily shacked up in the South Bay on their journey up North.
• All of the more eco-friendly travelers on Metrolink may see a hike of up to 5.5% in their fares. There also may be a cost associated with riders transferring to other transit services.
• Need to go to San Fran? Flights out of Long Beach are just $14 on Jet Blue. The catch: You gotta buy by today and fly by Apr. 8th.
• A Rancho Santa Margarita man will be arraigned for embezzling $147,000 from his employer, convincing wife #1 to foot the bill for the $147,000 restitution while getting money from his daughter's college tuition (who doesn't exist) from wife #2..... jeez, this is too hard to keep up with...
• The DWP General Manager, H. David Nahai, is being accused by Brian D'Arcy, who heads the DWP's 8,000-member employees union, of not being a friend of Measure B, "which would have required DWP employees to install solar panels across the city over the next five years." Environmentalists are rallying behind Nahai saying, "we all know his replacement would NOT be an environmentalist -- and without him we'd lose many gains."
• More food recalls due to salmonella. Dry spices being sold in SoCal stores are the next victim.

• LA Metblogs reminds us that the sales tax will increase to 9.25% tomorrow (10.25% in some parts). So you have one more night to buy that TV, car, or whatever else it is you want, because it will be officially more expensive tomorrow.
• You could be the next drummer for Smashing Pumpkins. LA Snark has the info straight from the Pumpkins' Tweet. Start practicing!
• Facebook's CFO has left the company. Do you care? Does this signal any big moves coming in the near future?
• With this huge computer virus supposed to hit tomorrow, take a few minutes out to update passwords today. Not like changing passwords will stop the impending doom of your PC, but it will make your accounts a little harder to hack. Consumerist offers some pretty awesome tips on how to make your passwords hard to crack but easy to remember.
• Artists looking to be a part of SGV history, now's your chance. Metro Gold Line officials want to build a bridge acknowledging the "visible gateway" to the SGV which will be over the 210 Freeway. If you can make the bridge fit their vision of giving an "iconic statement and a gateway to the San Gabriel Valley," then here's your application. Get started and collect your $20,000.
• Guys, if you think that LA is the 19th best city to live in the world, you wouldn't be alone.
• Buckle up, LA! CHP is out in full force for their safety-belt initiative to encourage people to obey the law.
• A bank robber dubbed the "Chimney Sweep Bandit" has been (nyuk, nyuk) in O.C. He may be responsible for as many as 5 robberies.
• A car chase from Hollywood to Glendale ended with the suspect slamming into a parked car around 1:30 this morning. The car was reported stolen from Long Beach which prompted the apparently intoxicated driver to give chase.

• It's Taco Madness, baby! With a capital, T! LATACO is holding Sabrocho! Taco Madness 2009, and they're down to the Elite 8. Make sure to get your vote in.
• Lookin' for a home, buckaroo? Well, mosey on down to Culver City and belly up to the saloon, grab some chow and put a down payment on your new 2 br./2 ba. fixer upper.
• If any brown eggs you have that may have ventured into So Cal via Nor Cal or western Nevada., don't eat 'em. Those little eggy-weggs have been recalled for possibly containing salmonella.
• We mentioned earlier that Sarah Silverman was bringing some friends out for her show tomorrow night, and a little birdie just told us to expect Zach Galifianakis.
• The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will probably approve offering a pair of $10,000 rewards for two unrelated homicide's. All you with your mouth shut, time to step up.
• 21-year-old, Juan Lopez of Los Angeles threw his girlfriend's dog down a storm drain after having a fight with her. Good thing is that the Shih Tzu puppy was recovered unharmed and Lopez was arrested on suspicion of felony animal cruelty, bad thing is that Lopez posted bail and was released yesterday.
• You like wine, texting, and Venice on Tuesday nights? Well you are the perfect candidate to text Venice Beach Wines, find out what wines they are pouring on Tuesday, and head over for the tasting.
• Do you blame the kids, the parents or the teachers? Victorville's Susie Matthews Academy was just ranked the 33rd worst school our of 100 where zero-point-zero students passed the math and language sections of the 2007-2008 tests. "The principal blames it on a high level of violence at the school. Two thirds of the students were expelled from their previous schools. And the poverty rate is high -- about 93 percent of students get free or reduced price lunches."
• With all of the LA Times layoffs, one small silver lining comes in news that The Times is launching a new website. Westside Watch will focus on all of your happenings in Westwood, Century City, Bel-Air, Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, and the incorporated cities of Santa Monica, Culver City, Beverly Hills and West Hollywood.

• There's some things that is just pure music to anyone's ears, and this is one of them - $1 sushi & $1 drinks at Lucky Fish in Beverly Hills all day today. Happy 1 Year Anniversary!
• AOL has never been known for hard-nosed reporting, but they will be now. New Editor, Melinda Henneberger of Slate, and formerly of the New York Times and Newsweek says the goal is "quality news sites that have zero aggregation, original content, that pay writers a living wage, and that pay bloggers."
• Police aren't releasing video tape of Police shooting and killing Leroy Barnes citing "it is not part of an ongoing investigation." The day of the shooting, it was said that Barnes fired first, but the following day, some said Barnes never shot at Police.
• Tom Sizemore was arrested today on grand theft charges for lifting some phones and other items from a Verizon store. Although his Attorney says "innocent until proven guilty," the security camera never lies.
• The Museum of Latin American Art has a new President and Chief Executive Officer, and he knows what he's doing. put it this way: Richard P. Townsend, a museum official from Miami was named to the position and had the following to say - "I will provide the day-to-day management, the artistic vision that informs everything that the institution does; and then I will seek to provide the resources."
• How about a Stimulus package for the bus riders? Fares have increased, services have gotten cut, and buses are overcrowded. Something's gotta change.
• Two local Gas Company workers were shot down. One in the company parking lot, one outsitde their home. Police have a suspect.

• In "Stay Safe Tonight" News - Here's some tips on the proper way to break up a bar fight from Esquire (via NBCLA).
• Let us guess, you got a warranty with the laptop you bought from Office Depot? How'd we know? They only sell laptops if you agree to buy a warranty. No warranty, no laptop!
• Torontoist has an Obama-war going on. One guy opens up Obama Café, then a few doors down, an internet shop formerly known as the United Internet Café changed their name to Obama Cybernet Café. Coincidence?
• Mark your calendar - Save some money on your kids and shop at the Consignment sale coming up in Van Nuys on March 27-29.
• LA has way high unemployment rates, but where are the hardest hit? LA Metblogs put together a pretty extensive map of our current situation.
• Some say ketchup "thief," hey says ketchup "recycler." In an odd case, former Orange Unified School District Board member Steve Rocco is facing theft charges for stealing a 14-ounce bottle of Heinz ketchup. He maintains that he took the half bottle because he was going to recycle it.
• Every year on his birthday, "Father Dollar Bill" hands out money to "his flock." Today, he handed out $15,000 on Skid Row.
• A sad story in Encino today - a 79-year-old woman drowned in her jacuzzi. The death was listed as an accidental drowning.

• Knock, Knock SoCal - it's me, Barack. Barack Obama is making a trip to our area next Wednesday to discuss (what else) the economy. Will you camp out and wait for B.H.O.?
• Have you seen this man? He is one of the suspects in a botched abduction that took place in Redondo Beach in January.
• Quick, you're locked in a car trunk, what do you do? Only proper thieves and Italians probably know how to escape, but you can now possess this knowledge along with a slew of other helpful survival tips. LA's beloved, Neil Strauss, is at it again with his new book, .
• You'll break your plans tonight to enjoy the The 99 Things You Should Have Already Experienced On The Internet Unless You’re a Loser or Old or Something, brought to you by Green LA Girl.
• Stroh's on Abbott Kinney is back to serving up their breakfast greatness. They're back in business from 8am-12noon at Glencrest/Abbot Kinney in Venice.
• It's official, not drinking is bad for you. Cheers!
• There was a crazy car chase early this am in Downtown LA which left the driver dead. He began by repeatedly ramming into a parked car where two people were sleeping, then when cops arrived the SUV started ramming their cars while trying to run over pedestrians. Sounds like someone wanted to live inside the game .
• Looks like LA is looking into bike sharing (again). Some see this as a huge waste of time and money where bikes would get stolen/vandalized/peed on. Will this really work in our city?
• A teen was stabbed today in Anaheim after he and a friend left their alternative-education site. Police are investigating if this is gang related.

• Robin Williams needs heart surgery. Not funny
• All you folks who want, but can't justify purchasing Amazon's Kindle2, just go buy an iPhone or iPod Touch. Amazon opened their e-book libraries to the devices.
• When Congresswoman Diane Watson (a UCLA Alum) made a resolution to honor USC's football team for its 2008 season, things got a little... heated.
• Girl Scout Cookies aren't just made for snacking. James Woodfork, the chef at The Clubhouse, at OC's South Coast Plaza ,and a team of local culinary students have turned the classic cookies into delectable desserts.
• Did you see the Proposition 8 debate or were you blacked out like LA Snark?
• Responding to the Sheraton LAX to rescue people in two stuck elevators, Los Angeles Fire Department officials noticed smoke coming from an underground parking structure. What they found was a blown transformer that caused a power outage leaving three people stuck in one elevator and another person in a second elevator, who was still stuck for a longer period of time, but rescued soon after. No one was injured.
• Curbed LA says one way to gauge the safety of your neighborhood is by the graffiti.
• A two car crash left one motorist hospitalized today with serious injuries. The wreck happened on South Hacienda Boulevard, which were shut down for a while around 3 a.m.

• Starbucks began their value meals "breakfast pairings" today. Anybody get one?
• When you go to vote on May 19th, make sure you know everything about the Propositions. For instance, some ballot pamphlets do not have information about Proposition 1A extending billions of dollars in temporary tax hikes just signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, for two years. Keep your eyes peeled for other info. not contained on the ballot pamphlets.
• In these depressing times, take some time out to smell the flowers. Calla Lilies are in bloom again.
• If back in 2005 you had a low income and didn't need to file a tax return, you may have some money coming back from the IRS.
• Although the first day of spring is a few weeks away, why not get started on Spring cleaning. Green LA Girl has some tips to clean green while saving some green.
• Gals, you don't have to be built like a Lohan to shop at Forever 21 this Spring. Beginning in May, Forever 21 will offer clothes for "14-and-up."
• A Victorville man is being held on $1 million bail for attempting to murder his girlfriend and their three children with a box cutter. This all went down at a Red Roof Inn at 1:40 a.m. this morning.

• It's Fat Tuesday! Get FAT for Free. Free pancakes today at IHOP until 10 pm and Free tacos at Jack in the Box until Midnight.
• The Hills star Audrina Patridge had her house broken into last night and released the surveillance video. Any tips call (213) 972-2971. I'm sure they haven't gotten prank calls...
• A small 240 home neighborhood in Van Nuys was declared a national historic district yesterday. Their "11-year effort to prevent developers from supplanting their treasured neighborhood with mega-sized homes" solidifies that their rose bushes, bird baths and white picket fences will stand for decades to come.
• Most people wouldn't reach over a California or French wine for a nice Mexican bottle, but you might want to after hearing NPR's segment on south of the border wine.
• Does a home's appearance on HGTV's make it worth it's primo price tag? Curbed LA wants your opinion.
• A semitrailer truck injured 5 people this morning at the intersection of Crenshaw and Palos Verdes Drive North. A witness said the brakes were smoking just before the crash, indicating that the driver may have lost his brakes
• After being interviewed overnight, a Riverside woman was arrested in the death of her 17-month-old baby. Obvious signs of murder were "the blow to the head and a puncture wound to his abdomen."

• More taco talk. Wahoo's turns 20 on Sunday. If you want some $.20 tacos, show up at the Costa Mesa location between 10am - 3 pm, meet Ryan Sheckler, and celebrate cheap, great tacos!
• In "Laughable" News - Octo Mom is shopping for a $1.25 million house.
• LA Metblogs might be onto something with - "Is LA closer to an NFL team than we think?"
• New airline at LAX, Allegiant Air. The affordable airline will run between LAX and 12 other stops by the end of May.
• You could get a maximum $4,800 tax credit if you made less that $42,000 last year. Even if you made $60,000 or so, you may still be eligible if you are one of the masses that lost their jobs.
• The SWAT team set up at the 800 block of West Imperial Highway at about 6:30 a.m this morning at a home where 3 robbery suspects were holed-up. They ain't goin' out like that.
• Some reef builders are hoping to get their hands on discarded harbor pilings in Dana Point. The pilings would make great reef's because they have been in the ocean for years and would require no cleaning, unlike boats. Also, "it would save the harbor restoration cost of disposing of them in another manner." Win/Win.
• Traffic Alert - The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) will close the north- and southbound Hollywood Freeway (US101) Highland Avenue off-ramps Sunday, February 22 from 10 a.m. to midnight. An encroachment permit has been issued by Caltrans to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for the 2009 Academy Awards. (via Caltrans press release)
• Thanks to everyone who entered our contest for tickets to the LA Chamber Orchestra! The contest is over, but the discounts continue.

• KCRW is now your one stop for Oscar coverage. Head over to their Oscar page for Director interviews, movie reviews, nominee lists, and polls. If you're not a member already, sign up so we can continue to have their great programming. We don't want any more radio casualties...
• Gweneth has been dishing the "goods" on her blog, GOOP, and LAist took notice back in December. Now, The Huffington Post adds their two-cents about their love of "reading aloud the most painfully Paltrow-esque lines."
• Your tax dollars are already at work in the case of the Octo Mom. Since she's gotten so many death threats, Police are having to spend a lot of time investigating all serious threats.
• In other tax paying news, your dollars were to be spent on 100 new Metro rail cars from AnsaldoBreda, an Italian company, but now Metro has open bidding to other companies. Citing "delivery delays" in 50 cars Breda is building, the finger-pointing in this situation and new round of bidding to other companies will cost us an extra $15 million. Some say the decision to go to bid is due to a Metro Official's son, who works for a competitor of Breda. This was later denied by the Official, but it's all about who you know, right?
• For those asking "whaaa???" about the recent crimes in Silver Lake, refer to LA Weekly who provides a great rundown about what's been happening.
• "Hey guys, I've seen a red van driving around in my area and it's giving me the creeps. Here's a description of the driver, the van, and an almost correct license plate. Please be wary of this van and forward this e-mail to everyone you know. In the meantime, I'll call the Police."
• Get caught boating and boozing, you can kiss your car bye-bye too.
• There's a new 800 spot parking garage near LA Live offering $5 for the first 90 minutes, maximum of $20. This is a sigh of relief for everyone plagued by outrageous parking rates near the new hot-spot. The garage is located off of Olympic at Francisco street.

• Please welcome me (and LAist) in Congratulating our Editor, Zach Behrens, for being named one of the "40 Under 40", by the San Fernando Business Journal! The award recognizes young working business professionals to watch out for in the Valley. The article runs next week, and in case you're wondering, yes, Zach rules!
• Talkin' bout a Revolution!!! Counties are lining up against the State and their attempt to defer budget costs to Counties.
• A suspected burglar was arrested in conjunction with a few burglaries in Santa Clarita. Jay Blehm, 18, of Valencia even sent text messages to friends trying to pawn his new "hot" goods.
• What's better to do on a rainy day then get into some sweatpants and play some video games? LA Snark just found "the greatest video game ever created" - Van Halen Asteroids. Try to beat the high score of 0U812.
• Our Publisher, Gothamist, got some major credit today. Editor, Jen Chung, got to ask Mayor Bloomberg a few questions about a mysterious maple syrup smell that overtook NYC. This may not be a big deal to you, but consider that Gothamist has never been granted press credentials even though their 4.8 million montly page views dwarfs the 1.9 million of the NY Observer (who has no problem getting press access). To Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's credit, LAist has been on his press list for a few years.
• Speaking of Disneyland, "It's a Small World" opens back up tomorrow and people are peeved. Disney added 29 characters from Disney and Disney-Pixar cartoons to the classic ride in addition to some new music. Nothing wrong with some shameless self-promotion while ruining upgrading an iconic ride.
• How have your New Years Resolutions been going? Green LA Girl has been sober since the January 1st and her hopes of enlightenment have been futile.
• Two men are dead after using a camping stove indoors in the Moreno Valley. The men ran a hose from a propane tank outside, through a bathroom window and attached it to the stove. A few others in the abandoned house were treated for carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Desperate times call for desperate measures. A San Diego man posted his kidney for sale yesterday on Craigslist for $100k. The post was removed because posts that contain “blood, bodily fluids or body parts" are banned on the site.
• Who says there's not interesting (and affordable) living spaces out there. Pasadena's Water Tower could be yours, if the price is right.
• B-List Chef's who are thirsty for attention and can whip up a Rack of Lamb with Saffron Cauliflower Puree, Romesco & Gramalata in under 30 minutes, start sharpening those knives. Your chance to compete on Season 6 of Top Chef is right around the corner. The LA casting call is scheduled for March 15th at Craft. Tell Padma, LAist sends their best.
• Muhammad Ali will receive the NAACP President's Award on Feb 12th at the Shrine Auditorium. The award highlights "his lifetime of public service and humanitarian efforts," the organization's president announced today. Previous recipients include Susan Taylor, Ella Fitzgerald, Jesse Jackson, Ryan White, Bryant Gumbel, Tavis Smiley, Condoleezza Rice, former President Bill Clinton and Venus and Serena Williams.
• Two popular LA Gay magazines will join at the end of the month. IN Los Angeles and Frontiers are set to unite on Feb. 25 as Frontiers-IN Los Angeles.
• Two men were fatally shot in the Westmont area while attending a sidewalk vigil for a gang member who was killed on Friday. Police believe this shooting was gang related.
• Looks like it's no cake walk getting back on top for Britney Spears. It's hard to keep up with it, but it seems her parents and former manager, Sam Lufti, are throwing lawsuits at each other. Are people entitled to another 15 mintues of fame???
• Surf City is banning those annoying, but cool, sign spinners and other advertising gimmicks from littering their street corners. This advertising practice was just put into effect in December to boost sales during this downturn, but because of driver distraction, they are putting an end to it.

• Jobseekers who like to "stroll the white sands, soak up the sun, snorkel the reef, "maybe clean the pool" -- and report to a global audience via weekly blogs, photo diaries and video updates," have we got an opportunity for you! Australia is looking for someone to lay around a beautiful tropical island for six months. Oh, they'll also pay you $105,000 for your troubles.
• Update on the Fight Against LA Billboards we reported on earlier. City Planners released a report today calling for the permanent ban of digital billboards - with an exception...
• Just like everyone else, the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education is facing some money problems. So much so, that they are considering canning as many as 2,290 nonpermanent teachers.
• Those W-9's are rolling in and you're chomping at the bit to get your taxes going. Before you go out and get some yokel to prepare your taxes, here's a few things to consider.
• The "Brawl at the Mall" on Saturday at the Del Amo mall is returning some new details. 300 to 400 people gathered outside a movie theater to watch two women fight. That's right,
• AT&T customers looking to increase their Karma points, text the word ”SHARE” to 20222. Your text is translated into a $5 donation for Share Our Strength - a non-profit organization aimed at leaving no kid hungry.
• A blind acting troupe is aspiring others while breaking out of their own shells. Through the development and performance of their self-written play "Hiding Eyes," a mafia thriller, (which played to a sold out Santa Monica crowd) - Ernest no longer stuttered; Bert started remembering more things; And Ernie broke his silence.

• Phew, The Hills, Bromance and Sponge Bob are still on TV. Time Warner and Viacom reached an agreement late last night with details being finalized in the next few days.
• Today was a great day to get out and enjoy a leisurely drive around the neighborhood. There was NOBODY on the roads.
• Today was the 9th annual Lions Surf City Splash in Huntington Beach. Participants take a plunge in the 56 degree ocean water in hopes of "washing off the old of 2008," says Lee Love.
• It's a new year and one website thinks it's time for some Celebs to change their look.
• We warned you, but some didn't listen. A man in Santa Ana was struck in the ankly by a falling bullet shortly after midnight.
• What would a New Year be without a New Years Baby? Gilan Newsom was born at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center at exactly midnight last night. Wow, she's going to have some great Birthday parties!