When you think of recycling your Christmas tree, perhaps you don't first think of how it might help out your local water-dwelling creatures. But if so, you are remiss; this year, the Riverside County Waste Management Department and the California Department of Fish and Game are working together to turn your former ornament-hanger into a habitat for small fish. more ›

It was overcast and chilly just after noon on Sunday in San Pedro when a group of chefs and food lovers piled aboard the Monte Carlo for an afternoon of fishing, eating, and celebrating. more ›

It's been a rough year for sardines. In March, 2.5 million perished in Redondo Beach when they ran out of oxygen. Now, the same fate has befallen thousands more in Ventura County, reports the Daily News. The fish passed away yesterday, as officials hurried to scoop them out of the harbor. more ›

Greenpeace's latest scorecard measuring various supermarket chains' commitments to sustainable seafood may come as a surprise. The polesitter is not Whole Foods and certainly not Bristol Farms... it's one of the largest grocery chains in the United States. Safeway, which owns and operates all VONS and Pavilions supermarkets (among others), captured the top spot in Greenpeace's fifth update of its Carting Away the Oceans rankings. more ›

Biologists from an independent team from the University of Southern California took samples from the dead sardines that choked up Redondo Beach's King Harbor last week, and found they contained domoic acid, a "dangerous neurotoxin," according to KTLA. The USC biologists say that is " what caused the sardines to swim chaotically into the marina." more ›

Things are still a little fishy in Redondo Beach's King Harbor, as the great dead sardine clean up goes into its third day. "The work was about half way done Wednesday with an estimated 35 tons of fish scooped up from the surface," reports the Daily News. Authorities estimate about 95% of the fish on the surface have been removed. more ›

For Chef Nicholas Shipp, you don't overthink your food. Rather, keep it simple and have fun, he says. Inside his newest venture in Santa Monica, with 28-foot exposed ceilings, The Upperwest carries a relaxed vibe with a touch of New York (think TriCeBa) that nicely complements Shipp's high quality (yet fun) dishes. more ›

A visit to Channel Islands National Park means an hour or longer boat ride across the Santa Barbara Channel. Your travel takes you over the National Marine Sanctuary where without a doubt--unless the weather is treacherous--you're bound to see some amazing ocean wonders. In two recent trips, we've seen hundreds of dolphins, seals, birds, a whale, a sun fish and last weekend, something very unusual, a feeding frenzy. more ›

The state Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) this month released its health advisory and safe eating guidelines for fish caught from coastal areas from Ventura Harbor south to the Dana Point area. "The results do not bode well for those that regularly eat locally caught coastal fish," wrote Mark Gold, President of Heal the Bay. more ›

Remember right before Labor Day weekend, officials at Lake Mohave were puzzled at why hundreds of dead carp were all of the sudden washing up on shore dead? Scientists have finally figured out the probable cause: Koi Herpes Virus (KHV). Good thing it poses no threats to human health. To fish, however, it's a different story, according to the Arizona Game and Fish Department via the Lake Mead National Recreation Area: "The virus, which can impact carp as water temperatures warm, affects gill function and can lead to suffocation and secondary infections. While there were bacterial issues, lab tests show KHV as the primary cause of the die-off." Dead fish continue to line the around 200 miles of beachfront on both Nevada and Arizona sides and warn fishers to avoid carp and for recreation users to be patient in finding a beach area. Otherwise, the lake water, although lower than usual, is deemed to be safe. more ›

Every time a flying fish popped out of the water, most all of the close-to 100 passengers on the boat began screaming in excitement last Friday night. That's because it's quite exhilarating to see a fish emerge from the water with its wings fluttering about as it tries to glide across the water before disappearing underneath. Some went as high as five feet and for a good few hundred feet in distance, but unfortunately none went as high or far as their ability is rumored to be. more ›

Today marks the opening of Petrossian's first Los Angeles area storefront. It's a cafe and boutique featuring menu items such as a Smoked Chorizo Scramble, a Tsar Cut Smoked Salmon Trio, the always controversial Foie Gras, an interesting grilled cheese made of buffalo mozzarella, tomato, olives and pesto on ciabatta and other meaty and fishy items. The boutique carries items like wines, cheeses, jams, gift baskets and the such. Tonight from 4 to 7 p.m. is their grand opening and starting tomorrow, regular hours (11 a.m. to 9 p.m.) begin. more ›

The Lake Mead National Recreation Area is warning travelers this weekend that , which is within its boundaries, is experiencing an unpleasant odor and dead carp washed up on the beaches. There are no known human heath risks associated with the suspected cause of the carp deaths, but visitors are advised not to handle the dead fish. The cause is unknown, but biologists are performing tests with results due back next week. Nearby Lake Mead seems to be fine (except the lower water levels). more ›

If your weekend plans include dropping a line into the lakes at Earvin Magic Johnson County Park, be ready to be in it just for the sport--don't take those fish to the dinner table! The Los Angeles County Health Officer is issuing a Health Advisory cautioning residents to not eat fish caught there at the park. They report that "preliminary data from water and fish samples taken from the lakes suggest that fish may contain contaminants above the levels considered safe for human consumption. These samples were taken as part of a joint investigation, headed by the California Regional Water Quality Control Board, and with the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation and Exxon Mobil." Folks are being urged to refrain from eating their catch until further testing is completed. Learn more about fish-eating safety here in Los Angeles, and the Department of Public Health by doing a little fishing (not phishing!) online. more ›

Tonight’s the opening night of John Gabriel Borkman, by Henrik Ibsen at CalArts in Valencia, directed by MFA directing candidate Maureen Huskey. The play’s story is still so familar: A turn-of-the-century family tries to forge a new path through the their past failures. “The clash between generations and the tenuous grip of family loyalty provide the backdrop for a beautifully grotesque dance between the forces of death and destruction and the life-giving impulse to move forward.” The play runs at 8 pm through March 14 (except for March 8) at the Walt Disney Modular Theatre at CalArts. Tickets are free, but reservations are required. more ›

Designers & Agents, an indie fashion marketing company, is currently showing their spring line exclusively at the New Mart and Cooper Design Space downtown. This show is based on sustainable design and will feature several of the leading fashion designers in this field. The company brings together over 1,000 different collections to the forefront of the industry. They hope to be completely fashion-forward in a very community-based way. more ›

Neptune's Net Seafood Restaurant in Malibu is a biker hang. But that doesn't mean you have to be one to enjoy crab and fried scallops (unless, Malingering, who took these photos, is living a secret life as a biker). more ›

On Friday, June 20th, the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific will reach its one-decade milestone. In honor of the occasion, they have launched a year-long celebration at the marine life-themed attraction with various events, contests, exhibits, and features centered around the number 10. more ›

You can't fight the funk: scientists are just beginning to discover some of the more insidious effects of creeping global warming, which is about to put polar bears on the endangered species list -- and wild Alaskan salmon may be next. Alaskan fisheries, long been overflowing with magnificent salmon supplies, are now threatened with a sticky situation: warmer waters in the northern climes are breeding yucky bacteria called Ichthyophonus hoferi --or, Ich. The bacteria, while harmless to humans, makes the salmon mushy and unappetizing, as well as resistant to crucial preservation methods like drying. From the LA Times: more ›

Despite being considered as quirky nonsense, the mystery of freakish falls from the sky has become a regular occurrence over the years, and Los Angeles hasn't been exempt from such bizarre downpours and surreal showers. more ›

Happy New Year from LAist and your brand new Food Editor! I've arrived home refreshed from a fantastic vacation in the Philly/New Jersey area, and now I'm revved up and ready for the New Food Year. It was difficult to leave Philadelphia and its fabulous dining options behind (cheesesteaks are only the tip of the iceberg), but nothing beats Los Angeles for its range of offerings. Here's my wish list for places to go, ingredients to cook, and meals to eat in 2008. What's tops on your list of must-eat destinations and recipes this year? more ›

I am terribly saddened to report that my most favoritest sushi restaurant in Los Angeles will be closing its doors on December 31st. I've been going here regularly for 8 years now and I am devastated to see it go. For those of you who love Otom Sushi the way I do, hurry your way over there as you only have a week left. For those of you who have never been there, I'd suggest trying to squeeze in a visit before it closes. 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all. more ›

Recent studies from both Dutch and Norwegian researchers are confirming that consumption of omega 3 fatty acids, which are most often found in fish and nuts, may make you smarter (or at least help you utilize what you've got): People who reported eating on average at least a third of an ounce of fish per day -- 10 grams -- outscored those who skimped on fish, regardless of factors including age, education, and heart... more ›

"So you know what you need to do to come off as authentic in San Pedro, right?" "Tell me!" We were all set to head off to the annual Lobster Fest held in San Pedro's charming seaside Ports O' Call. "You gotta call it Peeeeeedro." Peeeeeedro. Got it. Not that this was my first time searching out good times and good eats in this sunshiney little enclave nestled against the Port of Long Beach,... more ›

New York Times Does Culver City "Clearly, things have changed. Culver City, once considered a place to drive by on your way to somewhere else, has become Los Angeles's newest stylish neighborhood, a magnet for lovers of the arts, good food and culture. One part Hollywood nostalgia, one part modern design, the city-within-a-city now inspires expressions like “nascent Chelsea” and 'L.A.'s new restaurant mecca.'”(New York Times) What's in Your Fish? Pesticide and We Have... more ›

by Lisa Brenner more ›