Things are fowl these days in San Marino...yep, fowl: One of the nation's wealthiest communities is looking into making it legal for residents to keep chickens at home.
If approved, San Marino would join neighboring communities like Pasadena, South Pasadena, and La Cañada Flintridge in allowing residents to keep chickens on their residential property.
San Marino Hatching Plan to Legalize Yard Chickens
Windpocalypse's Price Tag: $40 Million and Counting
Now that the lights are finally back on, local agencies are tallying up the damage wrought by last week's epic windstorm. Officials estimated that the storm caused $40 million in damage — half of that is in Pasadena, the epicenter of the storm — but they expect that number to rise.
Extra, Extra
In tonight's Extra, Extra, the boy against John and Ken is on, Lindsay Lohan doesn't pay her limo bill and a local musical is taking on local gentrification. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports.
San Marino PD Says It Is So Sorry It Didn't Do More to Stop Protest Outside Wells Fargo Exec's Home, In Formal Apology to Entire City
This afternoon the San Marino Police Department sent out a formal apology to the entire city for not doing more to stop a protest on the lawn of a Wells Fargo executive, according to San Marino Patch.
"Clark Rockefeller" Con Man Charged for 1985 L.A. Murder
CNN calls 50-year-old Christian Karl Gerhartsreiter "a cultured poseur," who adapted the identity of a wealthy member of the iconic Rockefeller family, and has now been charged in Los Angeles for his role in the 1985 murder of a San Marino couple John and Linda Sohus. Gerhartsreiter, however, is only being charged with one count of murder, because the body of Linda Sohus has never been recovered.
89-Square-Mile Area Near Pasadena Under Fruit Fly Quarantine
A quarantine has been issued for "an 89-square-mile agricultural quarantine area in Los Angeles County after invasive oriental fruit flies were found in Pasadena," according to LA Now. "The area under quarantine is bordered by Figueroa Street on the west, Interstate 10 on the south, Big Santa Anita Wash to the east and the San Gabriel Mountain foothills on the north." Under these orders, plants cannot be moved from properties. The goal is to keep the infestation from spreading. The offending exotic pests, the oriental fruit fly, were found in traps in various locations in Pasadena and San Marino. To combat their spread, officials have mounted pesticide-laden bait stations.
Photos: Huntington's Desert Garden Ripe for the Clicking
The Desert Garden at the Huntington is a century old, and boasts one of the oldest and biggest collection of cacti and succulents in the world. A stroll through this 10-acre section of the beautiful estate's gardens will quench your thirst for the colorful and intriguing sight of over 5,000 species of desert plants. You probably can't rush out to San Marino right now, so in the meantime, enjoy these images from the Desert Garden--one of 14 themed gardens on the property--shot by LAist Featured Photos pool contributor delara-photos.
Making a Stink Over the Huntington's Corpse Flower
Something is clearly afoul over at the historic Huntington in San Marino. Nothing is wrong, actually. But all eyes--and noses--are on one rare bloom in particular: The Corpse Flower.
Huntington Library Acquires 8 New Artworks
As a number of museums around Los Angeles and Orange County plan their two days of free admission this weekend, one of that's not participating has a different kind of announcement. The Huntington Library, which is free on the first Thursday of the month, announced the acquisition of eight new paintings, sculptures and furniture.
Weekday Escape: Martinis & Manicures
Now that it stays light until almost nine o'clock, nighttime has taken up its annual habit of being more playful, with balmy temperatures and the hint of summertime. But weekday doldrums can still take over, which means weeknight relaxation and indulgences are a must-have. Here's where the beautiful and historic Langham, Huntington Hotel & Spa comes in. From now until August 27, every Tuesday and Wednesday night from 4-8 they're having a poolside summertime special, starring you, your fingertips, and your thirst. It's Martinis & Manicures... and, ladies (and gents!) it's lovely!
Desert Blooms and Local Flora
People gripe about the rain and its effects, especially on traffic. It's easy to forget that we're living desert-adjacent; being a part-time Hi-Desert dweller, I'm grateful for every inch of rain we get, especially after the devastating fires of 2006. Along with nourishing our parched land and turning that empty concrete wash into an actual "LA River", the rain brings an abundance of wildflowers, transforming the desert floor into a multicolored carpet for miles.
Los Angeles Noir: Local Authors Celebrate the Dark Mysteries of LA
Here’s the thing: this book isn’t even out yet. But because we live in Los Angeles, and this book is about Los Angeles, you’re in luck. We’re all in luck. Denise Hamilton and the bevy of supremely talented noir writers that contributed stories to this book are signing all over town this week. And the book will be, yes, you guessed it – available for signing at the readings two weeks before the rest of...
Bukowski Rarities Donated to Fancy Library
Instead of selling a large collection of rare Charles Bukowski manuscripts, originals, and books for about $1 million, the LA poet's widow has donated the works to the hoity-toity Huntington Library in San Marino.
AM news: by the numbers
400,000 Official reports are saying 250,000 immigration rights marchers showed up at City Hall and 400,000 walked down Wilshire Boulevard in yesterday's Day Without An Immigrant. Mayor Villaraigosa made a post-Quizno's lunch appearance (good thing he didn't try to dine in Pasadena or at Panda Express at UCLA — closed due to staffing shortages). There's a sign that immigration has either become a real issue for Angelenos or it's jumped the shark: The LA Times has launched an immigration blog.
Lovely Weekend Things!
It's the weekend already? LAist throws enthusiastic support in the corner of the 4-day work week, and even though perhaps we didn't work as much this week, we're still going to play this weekend. Here are some things going on around town this lovely weekend.
The LAist Interview: Michelle Huneven
Writer Michelle Huneven delves into all aspects of life in Southern California, from the material to the spiritual and everything in between. She is the author of two published works of fiction, Jamesland (2004) and Round Rock (1998), as well as many pieces of non-fiction journalism. She’s also familiar to readers as a former restaurant critic for the LA Weekly.
A Different Take on Los Angeles and "That" Industry
Planners, historians, and architects gathered at the Huntington to discuss how and why the Los Angeles and the entertainment business is one of the most compelling urban economic development and geographic expansion stories in history.

