A city report (.pdf) released Friday shows that costs for the Michael Jackson public memorial service were more than originally thought, which was $1.4 million. The actual cost, according to the new report, was $3.4 million. That's $1.2 million for straight time salary costs (mostly police) and $2 million for overtime salary costs and expenses (once again, most for police). more ›

On the heels of Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's announcement about a locally grown food policy, a move by city council has some farmers markets concerned about their survival. On September 1, the L.A. City Council passed a special events ordinance, changing the rules about how and which events are eligible to have fees waived for expenses like street closures. Some community events such as block parties get a break, but farmers markets do not under the current language. more ›

"Will you be celebrating Jim Jones and David Koresh's birthday?" gadfly Arnold Sacks dramatically said during public comment before the City Council voted to approve around $40,000 in fee waivers--meaning the city absorbs the costs of paying overtime for workers to shut streets down--for special events around the city, including $3,000 for a L. Ron Hubbard Birthday Event taking place Saturday at the Shrine Auditorium. more ›

In a time when the city of Los Angeles is in the red by $433 million, the Grammy Awards yesterday got $124,163 in special event fees waived (you know, permits, officers, street closures and the like). With city services being cut and fees to residents being raised (like parking meter rates, etc), some folks are not happy. After all, with all the advertising, the glamour and lawsuits against college students, the music industry can't afford this drop-in-the-bucket (to them) fee? more ›

At Wednesday's LA City Council meeting, non-Scientologist and resident of L Ron Hubbard Way, Sammi Franklin, and free speech advocate Lisa Derrick stood in the chambers at city hall to explain what it's like to live on a street closed down every weekend of the year. more ›

When the beaches at Venice, Dockweiler, Playa del Rey and Del Rey Lagoon get packed with over 100,000 people, the city has to deploy and/or extend services to make sure things run smoothly and that the afternoon and nighttime beach exodus doesn't hinder the neighborhood streets too much. more ›