On this, our Independence Day, Bill Pullman unites the country against aliens and stealers of Lucky Charms. Both versions of this inspirational video lunch will feed your pride in America. more ›

Happy 234th Birthday, America! (Psst, we don't think you look a year older than 230.) If you have your red, white, and blue outfit all coordinated, your miniature flag at the ready for waving, and nowhere to take that irrepressible American spirit, you might want to take a look at our pretty darn spectacular list of 4th of July Events that has all the pool parties, BBQs, fireworks shows, parades, and hootenannies you might be yearning for. Whatever you decide to do today, Angelenos, be safe, designate a driver, surf with caution, and have fun. more ›

"You don't actually think they spend $20000.00 on a hammer, $30000.00 on a toilet seat do you?" ~ Independence Day Well, it's the difference between what the new LAPD headquarters currently under construction should cost and is costing. And City Controller Laura Chick, who is responsible for auditing city spending to find misuse, abuse and savings, is making headlines by putting departments city who oversee contracts and contractors themself on notice, starting with the... more ›

The LA County Fair comes to end tonight, and if you can't make it or county fairs just aren't your thing, there's plenty of festival happenings today around Los Angeles:Swerve Festival @ Barnsdall Park National Geographic's All Roads Film Festival Feast of San Genaro Italian Festival Abbot Kinney Festival Grand Avenue Festival West Hollywood Book Fair Just Lives Festival Santa Clarita Street Arts Festival Polska Parafia Bazaar SGV Greek Festival Nigerian Independence Day Celebration... more ›

Good news, everyone! The terrorists have not won. And in America, we have the freedom of expression, which people today use in various ways. Though the sun never came out, the section of America we call Venice Beach had a happy happy birthday. Here we will take a look at the people of Venice Beach and how they showed their patriotism on the 4th of July (beyond the $5 Old Navy flag t-shirt). Keep... more ›

All fireworks in LA are illegal. Any time you drive over the speed limit, that's illegal too. Any time you drink a few more beers than you should and get behind the wheel, that's illegal. And any time you lie under oath and obstruct justice when a Special Prosecutor is trying to figure out if the Vice President of the United States authorized a leak of classified information so this administration could continue to... more ›

What with Paris Hilton's release earlier this week and the upcoming celebration of American Independence (sorry, Londonist!), we've been thinking a lot about freedom. Freedom to vote, freedom to choose, and most importantly, freedom to blog. Here are a few things we're happy we've been free to blog about this week. more ›

- According to the LA Times, people who live next to trains and subways do not use them. - Eek! "From July 1 of 2006 to June 30 of this year, only 3.21 inches of rain fell in downtown Los Angeles — the lowest precipitation level since records started being kept in the 1880s." - After 80 mph driving and weaving on the Hollywood Freeway in March, actress Vivica A. Fox (Kill Bill, Independence Day)... more ›

Lakers? Out. Clipper? Out. Hometown hero Baron Davis? Out. What's an NBA fan from Los Angeles to do? Go to the Santa Monica Pier. NBA Nation is on tour and they're here for the weekend. You never know who might show up. Rumor has it the Laker's Andrew Bynum and Kwame Brown were spotted on Saturday. On Sunday the Clip's Cuttino Mobley is scheduled to be there from 2:00pm-3:00pm. Among the hoops themed activities, the... more ›

Certainly this is partly a result of preexistent tensions among Latinos before trekking it to the other side -- nationality, ethnicity, and class among others. Or perhaps it's an instinct of non-trust among immigrants, derived from our (as in the rest of us non-immigrants) recent and outspoken antagonism toward immigrants. Or maybe it was a general lack of luster and life from this arguably indifferent and submerged group of people. more ›

Jose Canseco, who was recently signed to the San Diego Surf Dogs was traded yesterday after just one game. And, Snoop Dogg, he's coming to the LBC.

Reno Silver Sox general manager Dwight Dortsh said Tuesday that the former Major League Baseball slugger, who played for San Diego in Monday's 4-3 victory over Chico, will be traded to the Long Beach Armada for a player to be named later. - Nevada Appeal

"Furtado recently admitted the LP is mostly about sex." - Life Style Extra more ›

And then it's over. Conga lines of cars head up Kanan and Malibu Canyon. The locals head for bed. The night belongs to the sea lions, barking and bellowing on the beach, looking for summer love. more ›

Ed Note: We postponed publication of Monday's LAist Interview until today in honor of the Independence Day holiday. more ›

Once again, July 4th is going to make history. We're all familiar with the events that led to Independence Day and our yearly paean to the founding fathers, veterans and ordinary people who made the three-day weekend possible. Most people are not aware that NASA is going to make history again when the Deep Impact probe slams into Tempel 1 to give us our first glimpse at the inside of a comet. more ›

For Independence Day weekend, here are some events that involve hanging out with social activists while listening to good music and wearing cute clothes: more ›

As the Independence Day holiday approaches—known as much for firearm and recreational sporting injuries as for the camping and partying over the long holiday weekend—the Red Cross is warning that the blood supply in Southern California is critically low. This is a warning we've all heard before, but for some blood types (such as O-, O+ and B+), there is not enough blood in reserve to last the rest of the day, and perhaps not even through the evening. The Southern California Red Cross lists their current blood supply as follows: more ›