Book Soup hosts a discussion tonight at 7 pm on the life and work of Harry Smith, a filmmaker, musicologist, painter, ethnographer, graphic designer, mystic, and “collector of string figures and other patterns.” The event is being held in conjunction with the release of Harry Smith: The Avant-Garde in the American Vernacular. Book editors will lead the discussion and musician Jim Kweskin, founder of the Jim Kweskin Jug Band, will also perform. more ›

ANSWER LA will be holding a march tomorrow, partially on Wilshire Blvd., that will wrap around Westwood Village streets and stage at the Federal Building. Let GAZA Live, as they are calling it, is part of a larger National Day of Protest with other events planned throughout Southern California. more ›

According to a KCAL9 TV news report, the street is closed to cars from Fairfax Ave. on the east to San Vicente on the West as protesters take over the Miracle Mile area in front of the Israeli Consulate. Police have separated the two groups by 25 feet with rope and in case the demonstration is declared unlawful, the LAPD has set up a special viewing area for the press, they said in a media release. Wow, how thoughtful. (View photos from a recent protest here) more ›

A 3:35 a.m. rant from Roseanne Barr earlier this week: "I said Israel will attack any boat carrying doctors and medical supplies--they have turned away the red cross already and all medical and food assistance. Israel is a NAZI state. The Jewish Soul is being tortured in Israel. The destruction of the jews in Israel has been assured with this inhuman attack on civilians in gaza. Hamas is the street gangs---this is equivilent to los angeles attacking and launching war on the people of watts to attempt to kill the bloods and the crips." Barr planned to travel with pro-Palestinian activists on a protest boat that was trying sail from Cyprus to Gaza, but it was forced to turn back by the Israeli Navy. (h/t Michael Freund) more ›

Once again, a number of protests reflecting both sides of the issue will hit the streets today on Wilshire Blvd. more ›

Yesterday Wilshire Boulevard became the scene of two protests over recent rocket attacks and military action between Israel and Palestine. One by Jews for Peace outside the Federal Building in Westwood; the other at the Israeli Consulate sponsored by ANSWER LA. At the latter location, over 500 people--mostly pro-Palestinian--attended making for an "extremely tense" and loud event as each side chanted from their side of the street, said LAist photographer Tom Andrews. Here's some a little slice of what happened... more ›

After rocket attacks and military action between Israel and Palestine that began on Saturday, protests have been lining streets around the world. Two of them are set for this afternoon, the LA Weekly finds. Protesting Israel's counterattacks, Jews for Peace will assemble outside the Westwood Federal Building at 3 p.m. At 4:30 p.m., LA's most widely known grassroots organizing force, ANSWER LA, is sponsoring an "emergency protest" outside the Israeli Consulate. more ›

UCLA Men's Basketball is NO.2 in the Nation -- According to the AP and Coaches polls. The Bruins came out strong at home this past Saturday against the Stanford Trees Cardinals. The Ohio Buckeyes comfortably sit at No.1 following their victory against Wisconsin on Sunday. Our friends over at USC moved up to No.23 following an impressive season both at home and on the road. The Bruins finish their season undefeated at home and... more ›