Descending the lumpy, sub-sidewalk stairs into the courtyard of El Cid is often the beginning, or the end, of a fascinating evening in Silver Lake. Whether the flamenco-optional musical venue / bar / dance club / restaurant / screening courtyard / birthday-party-location-must-have-for-anyone-under-27 / Santa meet-up is packed tight like skinny jeans or awkwardly open with empty seats for a small touring act, there's a good chance you'll be leaving with a story. more ›

Tonight is the second of two community meetings Sunset Strip Music Festival organizers are outreaching the immediate surrounding community about the first ever street closure of the Sunset Strip for a day long music festival. On Saturday, September 12 for 24 hours starting at 7 a.m., the famous drag will be shut down from Doheny to San Vicente. The first meeting bought out less than a dozen people, who were "amazingly positive," according to Nic Adler, owner of The Roxy and one of the festival organizers. He said no access to homes will be completely cut off, but most questions were geared to those basic type of logistics. more ›

The loved and hated Sunset Junction Street Festival is this weekend and as part of the deal with the city to get the event permitted was to give free admission for immediate neighbors of the area. Residents must stop by the Tsunami Cafe tomorrow and Wednesday between noon and 7 p.m., present a California's ID or driver's license plus a utility bill proving residence in the blocks surrounding the festival (list below), according to the LA Weekly via the Silver Lake Improvement Association. "Residents who cannot make it to Tsunami Cafe during those times can contact SJNA "no later the Monday, August 17" to make arrangements. SJNA can be reached at sunsetjunction@sunsetjunction.org or 323-661-7771," explains the Weekly. more ›

There are around 50 neighborhood marches, BBQs, block parties taking place throughout the city and country tonight in an annual event meant to connect neighbors with neighbors and to the police officers that patrol their streets. It's National Night Out, "America's night out against crime," as the slogan goes. more ›

When Mailbu residents Cindy and Dave Emminger looked for an answer to a recent problem on their property, they found it was blowing in the wind. The problem was their neighbor, music legend Bob Dylan, had "permanently parked a nasty smelling portable potty next to their mutual property line," according to NBC Los Angeles. The Emmingers wrote a letter to the editor of the Malbu Surfside News, complaining "that the City of Malibu has been unable to help them solve the problem," of the "toxic, hazardous, carcinogenic chemical toilet" that was set down "next to their home." The angry neighbors believe the port-a-potty is going to be far less movable than a rolling stone--in fact, they believe the "toilet is apparently intended [...] to be a permanent fixture on his property." Dylan, a longtime Malibu resident, has made no public comment about his portable toilet. more ›

"... the kids who join the Greek organizations are very spirited. They are very much involved with all aspects of college life. They run for office and they are big philanthropists," a California State University Northridge (CSUN) student told the Daily News in an article about the city of Los Angeles ordering members of two off-campus CSUN fraternity houses, Zeta Beta Tau and Pi Kappa Alpha, to shut down. Hrmmm, if these students are... more ›