- If LAist smoked (cigarettes) we'd be so pissed at Santa Monica - Martini Republic more ›

Many moons ago when LAist was in high school, some of our most favorite memories revolved around sweating it out on a parking lot, wearing funny hats, and rolling in school busses while being part of the marching band. Yes we got teased and taunted, but it was truly a remarkable activity. That's why we're stoked that Fairfax High will be fielding a marching band after 20 years of being without. And it seems like the person to thank for this comeback is new band director Ray Vizcarra of South Central - LA Independent more ›

This post is like Lewis Black on Sometimes there are stories that slip through the cracks, big and small, around LA and we don't get to them during the week. Stories We Missed is here to catch them and bring them to you. Better late than never, right? more ›

Franklin Avenue's piece on the expansion of Barney's Beanery with an upcoming new Pasadena location reminded us of this LA Independent article from last week that we had forgotten to finish reading. Not only has the relatively new ownership expanded the dive bar with a Santa Monica location and the restructuring of the Pasadena Q's Billiards but they've quietly started to reverse a long history of homophobia that most recently showcased itself with the hanging of a rainbow flag in the window during the WeHo Pride Parade. 35 years earlier the bar proudly hung a sign saying "Fagots[sic] Stay Out". more ›

Our own personal top story this morning is that it is raining and it's Friday and we don't want to go to work. But we digress. more ›

Score one for mixed-use development. The LA Independent reports that Alan Casden's $100 million plan to develop Westwood has been approved by a key council committee. It's likely to be greenlighted when it goes before the full council on Tuesday. The Palazzo Westwood will bring 350 apartments and 50K square feet of retail of space to a two-block chunk of Westwood Village. more ›