Heath is out of town this week, so I thought I would take up the reins covering the strike. Yesterday, I was at Heath's stomping grounds -- Warner Brothers. Though I'm hearing from below the line friends that the negotiating committee should table the reality and animation writers issue as well as the no-strike clause (which would keep us from supporting other unions when they strike), it's hard to trust that doing that would... more ›

The National League has not won an All-Star Game since 1996. But, as a Dodger fan, there were plenty of reasons to smile. more ›

Dreamworks and Paramount moved up the release of their summer blockbuster Transformers from 7/4/7 to 7/2/7 when someone realized that opening on Monday instead of Wednesday means you have what may be the very first seven-day opening weekend. If you're like me, you saw the trailers a few weeks ago and thought, "Hey, that looks cool." If you did think that, you won't feel cheated when you celebrate your independence from British rule by... more ›

Yesterday was Father’s Day, and my father-in-law’s food choice was BBQ. He loves eating old school style: think the Smoke House, Pink’s, El Coyote – and to this day laments the closing of the Tips Restaurant on Lyons Avenue in Santa Clarita. So when he picked The Bear Pit, a 50-plus-year-old, Missouri-style BBQ restaurant in the Valley (on Sepulveda near the 118 freeway) the rest of us were only too happy to oblige. When... more ›

While Paris might be getting her first full night of sleep in her West Hollywood digs, she won't be sleeping in tomorrow morning after gorging on cupcakes, as she has been ordered to go back to court tomorrow at 9 a.m. and face the judge who put her in the clink in the first place. Apparently, even though the Sheriffs department, can alter the terms of a prison sentence (as they did when they... more ›

The Dodger’s 2-1 victory over the Rockies Tuesday night was a marked improvement over Monday’s game. I missed the first inning and didn’t get to see Hammster (Nomar Garciaparra) hit a single to drive in My Boyfriend, but Brett Tomko pitched one hell of a game for his first outing of the season. He toyed with the Rockies’ hitters to strike out nine, allowing one hit and no runs. He should have had the victory right? more ›

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by Pam Shaffer Being somewhat broke, I figured I'd economize and go to dinner and a show all at once. I found myself at Safari Sams, land of comfy outdoor couches and crunchy indoor music. I found my accomplice in dinner crime, one Jana Pants, seated close to the stage. Though I really dug the music of Izzy Cox and the Eskimos, I felt like that scene in Batman where Bruce Wayne and reporter... more ›

Los Angeles may not be dreamy all of the time, but the area certainly seems to inhabit the dreams of Angelenos and non-Angelenos alike. Local writer Michelle Markel collected her favorite LA landmarks and wrote “Dream Town,” an illustrated book for children about a grandma telling her snowbound grandchildren about her days living in a magical land called Southern California, highlighting the best in LA's unique architecture in the process. more ›

We're constantly surprised to discover that people with the darkest sensibilities live in this blindingly bright city. Somehow these individuals learn to survive and thrive in an area famous for its sunshine. For example, artist/musician Dame Darcy chooses to live in our city instead of more appropriately goth-inspiring spots like San Francisco or New York or Prague. Darcy is a startlingly prolific author whose style can best be described as "Francesca Lia Block meets Edward Gorey." Most fans discovered Darcy's talents via her amusingly gothic and morbid graphic novel series, Meat Cake. more ›

Oswald-Burrell's colorful designs are eye-catching and fun. You can order items from the line from the website or visit the "all kids can fly" booth at the Hollywood Farmer's Market on Ivar on Sundays. more ›

The news comes after Anschutz Entertainment Group President Tim Leiweke told the Downtown News that STAPLES Center could make more money off of 5 concerts than 41 Clipper games. Leiweke claimed the statements were not a negotiating ploy. more ›