A just-robbed store clerk who was trying to get the attention of responding sheriff's deputies soon found himself in danger again. One deputy who thought the clerk was a suspect and pointing a gun at them fired eight shots at him, luckily missing and hitting a building across the street and breaking windows, according to WeHo News. more ›

Santa Monica Boulevard may be currently home to boys town and the Russian community, but it has a history that many don't realize. In 1926, the route between Chicago and Santa Monica was named Route 66. In what would later become West Hollywood, Santa Monica Boulevard was a major part of the famous artery with at least two popular eateries, Barney's Beanery and Irv's Burgers, seeing it through its heyday. more ›

An 8-inch cast iron pipe began leaking water into the streets of Hollywood and West Hollywood this afternoon, prompting street damage and minimal closures. At 3:37 p.m., LADWP was notified of the leak and immediately began work to shut down the water and repair the pipe at 1042 North Vista in Los Angeles, just south of Santa Monica Blvd. Some customers may have their service shut off and at least one building's subterranean garage is affected, according to LADWP officials. Water was seen running surrounding streets such as Willoughby and Martel, according to LAist Lifestyle Editor Julie Wolfson who drove through the area. The cause of the leak is currently not known. more ›

Hundreds of people gathered for a 2 p.m. press conference at the Mormon temple on Santa Monica Blvd. at Overland (map) where LA Gay & Lesbian Center CEO Lorri L. Jean announced the launch of a new website, http://invalidateprop8.org/. more ›

There were all sorts of costumes on display last night at the annual West Hollywood Halloween event, from the inventive to the obscene and from the politically charged to the politically incorrect. Of course, there's always room for the traditional, and often lots of naughtiness. Here are a few pics from the festivities as found on Flickr and in our inbox. more ›

As one of the most heavily traveled pedestrian and automobile intersections in the city, Santa Monica and Western is thought to be a dangerous one. That's why today some new features were unveiled thanks to a $300,000 grant from the Federal Highway Administration secured by Rep. Becerra with the help of Councilman Garcetti, who represents the 13th District, which includes Hollywood and Melrose Hill where the intersection splits the two neighborhoods among others. more ›

Thank you in advance for any improvements here: "L.A. Council President Eric Garcetti and Rep. Xavier Becerra are holding a news conference this a.m. to tout improvements at Western and Santa Monica, including left-turn lanes that can accommodate more cars." (thanks Bottleneck blog!). more ›

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If you see folks walking around with some dirt on their foreheads today, they proabably did it on purpose. It is Ash Wednesday, where Christians are supposed to fast, pray, repent after the debauchery of Mardi Gras and (Super Tuesday). So here' are a few debauch-free events for tonight: more ›

So many events, so little time. Concete Frequency's latest installment is tonight and there's always Disney on Ice (skaters, not Walt), but here's a sampling of the other good stuff to be done in LA tonight. more ›

And who said culture doesn’t exist in Los Angeles? Check out these events for a little learning, a little entertainment – or both. more ›

Here's the good news of the day: It's almost Friday! Go out and celebrate tonight with these happenings about town: more ›

Mural of a dancing couple in Silver Lake. more ›

‘Tis the season for good theater. For fun theater. The holidays always usher in tons of lighter fare and holiday reviews. Here’s just a sampling of what’s going on this weekend your local neighborhoods… Bob’s Holiday Office Party Bob is back. As usual, insurance agent Bob Finhead’s clients stop by his small-town office for the annual holiday bash. What started out as an improve sketch 12 years ago has morphed into an annual event…with... more ›

There is nothing like combining fashion and philanthropy. Tomorrow night, the Los Angeles flagship store for Martin & Osa is have a launch party for the opening of their store in Century City. The stylish fashion company has generously donated $5,000 to Step Up Women's Network and the event will feature shopping (optional), cocktails and bites, and time to mingle with friends and to meet new people. While Step Up Women's Network is for... more ›

Although most of us here at LAist are gourmet vegan chefs, a few of us (hi!) get our meals via drive-thru's not just daily, but several times a day. more ›

I'm as guilty of this as anyone. I love the city but routinely bitch about the lack of snow or wide open spaces (C'mon, I'm from Minnesota. What is Christmas without a foot of snow to contend with? Over the river and through the woods and all that). So, in the spirit of the holiday, here are 5 things about Los Angeles I'm thankful for. more ›

The LA Times is reporting today that Metro may be seriously looking at an extremely different route for half of the proposed Purple Line subway extension that would take commuters from Downtown to Santa Monica. However, the idea discussed here would take underground riders from the Hollywood/Highland station to Wilshire Blvd. along Santa Monica Blvd., traveling through West Hollywood and Beverly Hills hitting near the Beverly Center mall and Cedars-Sinai:The new concept is still... more ›

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people migrate west to check out the West Hollywood/Santa Monica Blvd. Halloween Parade. Spanning from La Cienega Blvd. to Doheny Drive, the parade holds concerts, DJ sets, food vendors, and costume contests to the LA masses. While closing down Santa Monica blvd. may have screwed up everyone's commute last night, nothing compares to the pure elation of dressing incredibly skanky/scary/complicated. And don't worry, while you never know what... more ›

If the department stores can put their Christmas merch out already, we can sure as hell start celebrating Halloween! Friday, October 12th Rosemary's Billygoat, who always put on a special-effects extravaganza along with some serious rocking, will be playing at The Haunt at the Northridge Fashion Center. There will also be three haunted houses and a Fall Festival. Rosemary's Billygoat plays at 9pm. The CIA (California Institute of Abnormal Arts) in North Hollywood's Fright Night... more ›

There’s something for everyone in LA theatre scene this week: old stuff, new stuff and stuff that’s just out there. Canned Peaches in Syrup The Furious Theatre Company presents this post-apocalyptic comedy, where two tribes of humans remain: cannibals and vegetarians. “Can star-crossed lovers Rog and Julie cross tribal lines?! Can Rog's taste for flesh be suppressed?! Can Julie deny her parents' "meat is murder" mantra?! And, who exactly is Blind Bastard? A lone can... more ›

If you go as far west as you can in West Hollywood on Santa Monica Blvd., right before you wind up in Beverly Hills you will see the Troubadour - one of the most famous rock clubs in the world - established in 1957. more ›

L.A.’s glorious summer evenings are perfect for enjoying cinema al fresco. Check out these goings on around town for the weekend & beyond. Downtown’s Million Dollar Drive-In, which launches this Saturday is described as L.A.’s first “urban drive-in” and will primarily cater to bike & foot traffic, unless you have a classic car that is pre-1965—then you have the chance of nabbing one of the 15-20 parking spots that will be available. This weekend’s film... more ›

There is so much cool stuff going down tonight, you’d better start chugging that Red Bull!! more ›

We know that almost everybody’s going to Sunset Junction this weekend, so if you want to do something a little different (or add it to your agenda), why not check out LA’s great theatre scene? Some of these alternatives are perfect for those watching their budget (i.e., they’re free!) Here are LAist’s picks for the week: Heads Four American and British civilians are kidnapped off the streets of Iraq. After reading that description, the... more ›

And you shall know Mr. Bowie by the size of his purple spandex package… The 35mm reissue of the 1986 Jim Henson/George Lucas magnum opus, LABYRINTH, is now playing at the Nuart Theatre. The new print will continue showing in all its goblin glory until Thursday August 2nd. Tonight, there is a post-show Q&A with the entire Froud brood -- Brian Froud, the conceptual fantasy designer, Wendy Froud, the puppet designer, and baby-actor extraordinaire,... more ›

Now why would you want to spend your hard-earned dough this weekend on a flick about Chuck and Larry when you can see live, local theater? Here are LAist's five picks for this weekend... Do Do Love Diana lives alone on disability baking cupcakes in her Burbank studio. Her landlord wants to get her out of the apartment and so sends a hottie of a handyman to disrupt her life and up her rent.... more ›