A white Cadillac is at the center of an investigation this morning after a suspicious package was found inside the abandoned vehicle, and the bomb squad called out. Police evacuated residents from the area where the car was parked near West Vernon and 9th avenues, reports LA Now. more ›

Eddie North-Hager is a man with a mission, and he is not alone. The communities of Leimert Park, Baldwin Hills, West Adams, and surrounding areas have dedicated themselves to the redevelopment of The Santa Barbara Plaza, often referred to as "Marlton Square." The Plaza has become a blight in the center of a vibrant community. Just a block away jacaranda trees shade a picture-perfect neighborhood more ›

One of the benefits of living in the big city is that there is always something going on. One of the drawbacks is that there is so much going on, it's hard to decide where to go. Here is a roundup of 4th of July events, from the big to small, and from the swanky to the homey. But one thing is sure. There will be fireworks. more ›

With Hanukkah and Christmas 2009 now behind us, another major December holiday begins today: Kwanzaa. more ›

The Taste of Soul 2009 was hot, hot, hot. And that’s even before you start talking about feasting on the hot links and Cajun-spiced fare. The festival of food and music that turns Crenshaw Boulevard into a state fair kind of ambience happened during last Saturday's steamy afternoon. more ›

Sometimes near the corner of Arlington Boulevard and Martin Luther King Jr, Boulevard you’ll see them huddled outside in the dim of the fluorescent light. They aren’t there to smoke a cigarette and it’s not an Alcoholicos Anonimos meeting. Soul food tacos are the objects they desire. more ›

The Official Recession has been upon us for fourteen official months. It’s still not a reason we can’t enjoy life. This is LA -- we have a million inexpensive options! A Recession Obsession is meal (or activity) that is fantastic whether times are good or bad -- because it's just that damn good. We last loved on Zankou Chicken and Santa Monica's Tacos Por Favor. Today, we... more ›

This jack o' lantern was carved and photographed by Eddie North-Hager of Leimert Park Beat, who, along with blogger Jasmyne Cannick, was featured on KCRW last night (KCRW Link). more ›

Old men smile at each other's stories over games of dominoes played on card tables set up on the street corner. Ladies in their Sunday best daintily nibble cake at outdoor cafes, and children run laughing around the fountain in the park. People stop to chat as they meander along the boulevard. This is not a scene from another era; it's a typical Sunday afternoon in Leimert Park.
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Since February is Black History month, we asked our friends at Eso Won Books in Leimert Park to recommend ten history books that would provide a balanced overview of black history, filling in any gaps in the American educational system. Included are a number of books that specifically focus on the history of African-Americans in Los Angeles. more ›

I think I have found it. I have found The One. True, I have not eaten at every soul food restaurant in LA (yet), but if I had to pick the one to settle down with, Mama's House would be it. Hidden away in an old-fashioned strip mall on Crenshaw Boulevard, Mama's House has been quietly gaining fans for the last seven years. The room is comfortable, filled with family photos and bric-a-brac. It almost takes a minute for you to recognize the Japanese windows and realize you are sitting right in the middle of a sushi restaurant, sans sushi. Instead of raw tuna, the glass display case is now brimming with sweet potato pies. Not a bad trade, really. more ›

Nowadays, fairy tales have been cleaned up (and often outfitted with boring pop culture referential comedy that mitigates the timelessness of the stories) Cinderella's evil sisters don't cut off parts of their feet to fit into the glass slipper. The little mermaid lives happily ever after instead of sacrificing herself to save the life of her beloved. These stories were made to tap into children's deepest fears, to give weight to the shadows the crept up on them so they could be dealt with and expunged. more ›

Here's the good news of the day: It's almost Friday! Go out and celebrate tonight with these happenings about town: more ›

It may look like your average, everyday taco truck, but the Shabazz Good Foods truck is not slinging the usual carnitas. Every Sunday, you can find their truck parked on 43rd and Crenshaw at Leimert Plaza Park. They sell not only the infamous bean pies, but blueberry cream pies, pineapple cream pies, and a few soulful lunches. more ›

When people think of Leimert Park, they usually focus on Leimert Plaza Park and the one block of Degnan to the north. But the neighborhood of Leimert Park encompasses the eastern side of Crenshaw Boulevard, including Crenshaw and King Blvd all the way north to Rodeo Road. M&M Soul Food sits right beneath one of the blue signs delineating the Leimert Park neighborhood. When you see a soul food restaurant on television, nine times out... more ›

A favorite of locals and a darling of restaurant reviewers, Ackee Bamboo on Degnan helps to alleviate LA's need for some good Jamaican food. Kingston-born proprietress Marlene Sinclair and her husband Delroy serve up generous portions to the hungry customers who are often making a special pilgrimage to Leimert Park just to try her jerks and curries. more ›

As Lou Reed put it, "The first thing you learn is you always gotta wait." But when you are jonesing, you are always willing to wait. And the catfish at Cafe Soul definitely brings the jones down on me. Cafe Soul opened this past October in the location that was formerly home to the Kitchen on 43rd Place. The changeover was so fast, I'm not sure the restaurant even closed its doors. Cafe Soul... more ›

Yesterday, September 20th, was the day that Mychal Bell was to be sentenced after being found guilty as an adult on the charge of aggravated battery. Prosecutors were asking for a sentence of 22 years at one point, then reduced it to 15 years. Last Friday the appeals court overturned his conviction. The court determined that Bell, who was 16 at the time, should not have have been tried as an adult. In spite... more ›

Good grief, BET. First, the Black Entertainment Television network embarrasses black college students across the country with College Hill, a show that proves a house full of black college co-eds can be as useless as a house full of white ones. Now the MTV-show-dipped-in-chocolate experiment kicks into overdrive with last night's premiere of Baldwin Hills, a new single-camera docudrama that proves that when it comes to effortlessly reinforcing stereotypes, BET still reigns supreme. Promoted... more ›

Pat Montandon discusses Oh, the Hell of It All 7pm @ Vroman's more ›

Here’s the thing: this book isn’t even out yet. But because we live in Los Angeles, and this book is about Los Angeles, you’re in luck. We’re all in luck. Denise Hamilton and the bevy of supremely talented noir writers that contributed stories to this book are signing all over town this week. And the book will be, yes, you guessed it – available for signing at the readings two weeks before the rest of... more ›

Rose Bowl's 80th Anniversary of Fireworks starring the Pasadena Pops - 6pm more ›

It's almost impossible to decide where we want to get our hands dirty this Sunday. We could be in the East Valley painting an elementary school that serves deaf and hearing-impaired kids. We could make our best dish (This LAist contributor makes a mean mac & cheese) and serve homeless families. We could shoot hoops for peace. We could go wash some dirty dogs. more ›

Mark Vallen has been making art in Los Angeles for more than 30 years. A native Angeleno, Mark has integrated the city's residents and landmarks into his work since his teens, when he worked on seminal LA punk publication Slash Magazine and captured the early punk scene in a series of sketches, drawings, and paintings. Mark continues the DIY spirit by supporting LA's contemporary art scene, advocating for change against the status quo and sharing his opinion about the current state of painting and culture on his blog, Art for Change. more ›

It is no secret that whomever stepped up to the plate after the departure of LAist's great sports mind, Phillip Wallace, had huge shoes to fill. We've gone through several false starts with a few different people attempting to tackle (writer's note - do you love how we're running with the football metaphors on Championship Sunday?) the daunting challenge of covering the endless number of sports teams and sports stories of the Southland. more ›

Contributing Editor Betty Pleasant provides intimate details: more ›