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Creature Comforts: The Lu Parker Project Gets Shelter Dogs Into New Beds

For many impounded dogs, the animal shelters is the last stop on their journey between life and death. Separated by cold steel fencing and concrete floors, each dog awaits their fate. Although the dogs did nothing wrong, the quarters are similar to a jail cell. It's easy to understand why sympathetic volunteers spend so much time confronting such a grim reality. more ›

NewsGuest Writer 3 Comments

One Teacher's Passion for Pet Rescue Offers Unique Inspiration for Students' Success During LAUSD Cutbacks

As staff anxiety builds, LAUSD teachers are left wondering whether they'll be filing report cards, or unemployment documents come next school year. To close the $400 million budget shortfall, Los Angeles school officials' most recent plan is to layoff 5,000 teachers and other staff members. In times of uncertainty, one must wonder how teachers keep ambitions high, spirits up-beat, and their own anxieties quiet while the kids are listening. more ›

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L.A.'s Celebri-Mayor's Divorce Finalized, Reports TMZ

Celebrity gossip site TMZ calls Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa "Mayor Suave," thanks to his affinity for photo opps and cameo appearances. This morning TMZ reports that Villaraigosa is now also officially single, as his divorce from his now ex-wife, Corina, was just granted. A factoid for your water-cooler gathering: "The former couple originally filed for divorce back in 2007 -- but according to documents obtained by TMZ, the judge didn't sign the divorce order until yesterday." more ›

NewsLindsay William-Ross 0 Comments

Mayor Credits Yoga, Meatless Mondays, and Lu for His Well-Being

In a candid interview published in today's LA Times, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa shares his reasons for his current well-being, citing changes to his diet, personal life, and career. more ›

NewsLindsay William-Ross 2 Comments

Mayor Twitters About Lu at U2, Forgets What City He's In

Swept up in the good time-y vibes surely prevalent during last night's heavily-touted U2 concert at the Rose Bowl, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took a couple of opportunities to share his exuberance over the occasion via Twitter. Villaraigosa and his girlfriend, KTLA reporter Lu Parker, were among the approximately 96,000 fans who packed the Pasadena stadium to see one of the last engagements in the rock band's "360 Tour" with support from the Black Eyed Peas. more ›

NewsLindsay William-Ross 17 Comments

Digging into the Mayor's Two Vacations

Some people are a bit suspicious of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's last two vacations. The first, a trip to Africa, was right after his inauguration. The second was to Iceland, ending earlier this month. No matter who you are, you deserve a vacation, right? "Since the mayor is mayor 24-7, he does not accrue vacation or sick time," said spokesman Matt Szabo in an e-mail to LAist. "He has the discretion to take time away from the city as necessary." more ›

NewsZach Behrens 2 Comments

@Villaraigosa is Back in Town. What Did the Mayor Miss?

If you follow (the person who ghost-tweets for?) the Mayor of L.A. on Twitter, you may have noticed, as LA Observed did, that he was happy to be at home after his vacation in Africa. "Good to be back in LA!" he remarked. more ›

NewsLindsay William-Ross 1 Comment