"...And the ancient empty street's too dead for dreaming" by kpe II via LAist Featured Photos Pool on Flickr Newly elected state speaker, a Democrat named Karen Bass who was raised in Los Angeles, has made friends on both sides of the aisle, the LA Times said. She is the first African-American to assume the top spot and has some pretty lofty goals, including providing healthcare and improving education. Wait, those are things EVERY......

So the guys are in Vero Beach now, and now my sphincter pulsates in anticipation for March 31: Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. This spring training should prove very interesting despite Jeff Kent opening his yap. Here are some story lines to follow: Tommy Lasorda will manage eight exhibition games. While Joe Torre takes a split squad to Beijing to play the San Diego Padres on March 14 and 15, Lasorda will have the remaining......

The other shoe has dropped in the Barry Bonds steroid scandal as today federal prosecutors formerly accused the former Giant of obstructing justice and lying under oath. "I'm surprised," John Burris, one of Bonds' attorneys, told the AP, "but there's been an effort to get Barry for a long time. "I'm curious what evidence they have now they didn't have before." Even the president of the United States chimed in - thru a proxy.......

- (1) Go to Circuit City today after 2pm, (2) ask if they have Super Paper Mario in stock, (3) if they don't have it in stock ask and then receive a Circuit City $20 gift card, (4) dance around with your free $20, (5) thank your pals at LAist and at - Joystiq - A state panel in Oxnard basically killed any hope for a floating offshore natural gas terminal to be built......

When an author of a book about cheating in baseball noticed Angel closer Francisco Rodriguez going to his cap an inordinate amount of times on Opening Day, he wrote about it on his blog and got photos, and his allegations against K-Rod made it to the front office of Major League Baseball. Where it died. Yesterday MLB called the Angels to tell them that there would be no investigation of K-Rod's cap because there......

Can someone please tell Dodger’s head athletic trainer Stan Conte to make sure Prozac takes his meds before he pitches? Pitcher Derek Lowe in his third Opening Day start for the Dodgers gave up six earned runs and five walks in four innings earning a 7-1 loss against the Milwaukee Brewers. Even worse, the only offense the Dodgers could muster was a homerun by Jeff Kent in the second inning and a double by......

Happy Opening Day, the one day where hope is in everyone's hearts and the future is as bright as a brand new box of baseballs. In a little more than an hour the Anaheim Angels of Anaheim will throw out the first pitch of new season. But in fantasy leagues all around the country, the season already began since virtual General Managers choose players from teams around the Majors. What's interesting about these Rotisserie......

The major league baseball season begins tonight, with the St. Louis Cardinals beginning their title defense against the New York Mets. And, as always, with Opening Day comes optimism. Fans across the country have convinced themselves that this year the (insert local team here) will challenge for the pennant and make a strong push in October. Next year is now. In no area of the country is this Opening Day optimism felt more strongly......

The baseball off-season creates a brewing anticipation that crescendos to the molto-fortissimo of Opening Day. Before I start waxing poetic about the Dodgers, I'll present to you a list of facts about the changes to the team in this off-season: * Right fielder J.D. Drew, reneging on his word, declined his option on his contract and ended up signing with the Boston Red Sox. The Princess (as T.J. Simers of the LA Times called......

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Lines stretched around the block. Helicopters buzzed overhead. It was madness today at the grand opening of the Pasadena H&M, the first H&M retail outlet in Southern California. Tucked between the Tiffany and Apple stores on Colorado Boulevard, the warehouse-like space showcases on two floors H&M's womenswear line. Sorry gents, ladies only. You'll have to wait until the Oct. 26 opening of the Beverly Center H&M. Half an hour before the official noon opening......

The Angels won and the Dodgers lost on Opening Day, so as you can imagine, the Los Angeles Times interprets this a sign of things to come. While LAist doesn't doubt the Angels are a great team, we'd like people to evaluate the Dodgers on more than one game against Jason Schmidt. Perhaps halo fans should be concerned that only Vlad Guerrero could muster any damage off of Texas' Ryan Drese. But then again,......

UCLA's Fowler Museum of Cultural History launches Opening Day ceremonies for its "Saluting Vodou Spirits: Haitian Flags from the Fowler Collection" exhibition on Saturday, August 8th. noon-5 pm. Ritual flags, known as Drapo, made of satin, velvet, or rayon, and adorned with sequins, beads, or appliqué are important components of Voudou sacred art. These works are presented at the beginning of vodou ceremonies to salute the spirits and marshal the energies of their devotees.......