November is here. And you know what that means. Gents across the globe will lock away their razors and focus all of their testosterone on sprouting unshorn upper lips. It's Movember, and it's all about the 'stache. The Movember campaign initiates mustache season every year, where men, known as Mo Bros, worldwide let their facial hair grow free to raise awareness and funds for men's health. more ›

It's November. Wow. What happened to 2011? We assume many of you are trembling a little with us after realizing that there are just two months left of the year. In honor of November 1, today's video lunch serves up a few appropriately November-themed music videos, as identified by Encore. more ›

Cause if it's pretty fast, you still have time to get your mo on for Movember. Mo is Australian for moustache, and Movember is an organization that raises awareness and funds for prostate and testicular cancer. Much like the Avon 3-day walk or the AIDS Walk, men build teams and throughout the month of November, vigorously sit, wait, and grow, all while collecting money towards cancer research. more ›

Good morning. It's a new month with new energy and we welcome you to it with some photos from our LAist Featured Photos contributors on Flickr. more ›

Now that the warmest October since 1965 is over with, today is expected to be mostly cloudy with highs in the 60s and 70s depending if you're beachside or otherwise. Expect showers north of Los Angeles up the West Coast. more ›

On Saturday, locals The Monolators (MySpace) -- covered previously here -- celebrated the release of their new album at Spaceland (MySpace) in Silver Lake, along with Correatown (MySpace), You, Me, and Iowa (MySpace), and Summer Darling (MySpace). more ›

The Yes on 8/Protect Marriage campaign that wishes to see Proposition 8 (eliminates same sex marriage) succeed began to put out facts regarding marriage. "From now until November 4 we will be providing you facts and/or talking points to be used in spreading the word about the importance of voting YES on Proposition 8," their e-mail newsletter said. Their first fact is this: more ›

A poll released yesterday by the Public Policy Institute of California showed that voters are split nearly evenly over Prop 4 (parental notification of minors having abortions), with 47 percent in favor and 44 percent opposed. Polls were similarly split in the past, when attempts were made to pass nearly identical measures (Prop 73 in 2005 and Prop 85 in 2006), and the initiatives were nevertheless defeated both times. more ›

Mark Paul, former deputy treasurer of California, among other things, has a good point about all the money-spending initiatives on this November's ballot. "In a little-noticed report, Treasurer Bill Lockyer projected last year that, at current tax levels, California will not be able to pay for its existing programs and its debt service at any time in the next two decades if voters keep approving bonds at the same rate as they have over the last 20 years." There are six props (1, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10) that would effect the budget at the tune of "$2.7 billion a year in bond debt service and direct state spending," all without any way to pay for them. If a 13th one is added, which would be a water bond, that number jumps to beyond $3 billion. more ›

As it stands right now, in November, we vote on 12 state propositions, which is quite a handful for our minds to wrap around. But it's nothing compared to the 47 state props Californians had to deal with back in the 1914 general election (should boxing be outlawed on Memorial Day?). The Santa Barbara Independent has nicely collated and summarized each prop under their proper categories: more ›

"This is overall a victory," Boi from Troy wrote about yesterday's language change in the text of Proposition 8, a November ballot initiative that seeks to keep marriage between a man and a woman only. The original description said this: more ›

This week, supporters of defeating Proposition 8 before it even hit November's ballot lost the battle. If approved, it will have the state only recognize marriage between a man and a woman, therefore making same-sex marriage a thing of the past. They argued the prop "involves a constitutional revision that can't be adopted through a ballot vote," says CNN, who also says they "contended that petitions circulated to qualify the proposition for the ballot contained material that misled readers about the measure's effects." Get ready for a heated campaign from both sides this coming Fall. more ›

They keep piling on. Today, "the governor placed a $900 million bond measure on the ballot to provide low-interest home loans to returning veterans of current and recent wars," reports John Myers at KQED's Capitol Notes. And there could be more to come, he says. Three of them could be a water bond, a budget reform proposal and a reform of the lottery initiative to raise money for the state budget. Now that's fifteen props and there's still talk a possibility of more, up to eighteen. Eeek! Talk about a few months with lots of commercials, flyers and debate. more ›

As Californians consider whether or not to vote on the legalization of marijuana this November, a study conducted at a Johns Hopkins University lab is now launching a look into the potential health and wellness benefits of illegal mushrooms, too. more ›

As it gets closer to the November election, more and more propositions are being qualified for the ballot. Most notably is Prop. 8 (pdf), something that's been talked about for a couple months now. It's the state constitution amendment change that would limit marriage in California, effectively stopping the same-sex marriages that have just begun. more ›

Not so fast hotel builders and Bevelry Hills politicians. Residents who fought (see the protest photos here) to keep the Beverly Hilton from turning into a new huge hotel/condo project have gotten their issue qualified for the November ballot, according to LA County who counted and verified the petition signatures. The Beverly HIlls city "council could decide to put the issue before the voters, or repeal the resolution which was the subject of the referendum petition," says the Beverly Hills Courier. more ›

Now that same-sex marriage is here for a joyful four-point-five months before Californians determine the fate of the institution when voting on the California Marriage Protection Act in November, it's going to be a fight. more ›

As an assembly bill that would enable Metro to put a half-cent sales tax increase on November's ballot makes its way towards the state Senate this month, a report released from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) said that such an increase would only cost people $25 extra per year (if the sales tax rate goes up, it will go from 8.25% to 8.75%, "translating to an extra 50 cents in taxes for every $100 you spend on goods and service," says Road Sage Steve Hymon). more ›

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has agreed to preside over gay marriages after the ban is lifted at 5:01 p.m. on June 16 -- though, he is scheduled to be in Israel at that time. "I've told a number of couples that I will be happy to preside," the mayor said per Rick Orlov at the Daily News. "I will marry as many people as possible." more ›

Today, the Office of Vital records told all California counties can start issuing same-sex marriage licenses the minute after the California Supreme Court's order goes into effect, which is June 16, 5:01 p.m. more ›

In November, Californians will vote on an amendment change to the California constitution that would define marriage as a union between a man and a woman, there for stopping same-sex marriages from occurring (they begin June 17). Similarly, a 2003 amendment change by state legislatures to the 1996 voter-approved Compassionate Use Act was found unconstitutional by a Court of Appeals last month. They said the change needed a vote by the people, according to the LA Times. more ›

Now that same-sex marriages are legalized in California (they begin June 17), this weekend's 38th annual Los Angeles Lesbian, Gay, Bi, and Transgender Pride celebration will probably have more energy than ever before. From Friday through Sunday, events including the Dyke March, the two-day Christopher Street Festival (with headliners Joss Stone and Olivia Newton John) and the parade, West Hollywood will be abuzz with activity. more ›

The California Supreme Court denied the request to stay same-sex marriages until after a November vote by a 4-3 vote, it was announced today. That means marriages may be commenced starting June 17 throughout California. The order becomes final on June 16 at 5 p.m., according to a press release sent out by the state's Judicial Council. more ›

Yesterday's most contentious race was that for the seat for the 2nd District on the County Board of Supervisors. Considered a highly-paid and powerful lifetime position once you're seated, the race between California State Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas and LA City Councilman (former LAPD Chief), Bernard Parks was extremely heated. more ›

Today, California Secretary of State Debra Bowen announced (pdf) that the initiative to ban gay marriage through a state amendment change qualifies for the November 4th ballot. 1,120,801 signatures were submitted and enough signatures qualified through a random sample signature check. If passed, the amendment would change California's consitutution to define marriage as a union “between a man and a woman.” One poll said that Californians "narrowly" reject gay marriage. more ›

Photo by bobster1985 via Flickr more ›

Update, 5/29/08: The date has been changed to June 17. Read the full story here