The Brief

Walk into Ivanhoe Restaurant & Bar in Silver Lake around 7:30 p.m. on a Wednesday and you’ll think you’re at a Laurel Canyon jam session in the 1960s.

On the stage, three musicians sit beside each other, one at a keyboard and two holding acoustic guitars. The pianist, Leah Ashton, begins to play, singing a soulful R&B track from her latest album. The two guitarists watch her perform, howling and clapping with the rest of the audience in delight.

“It does feel like a throwback from that tradition of really talented creatives, but more inclusive, diverse and accepting of all different types of voices,” said Ryan Trask, a musician and festival promoter in Los Angeles. “Ultimately, it's a product that makes people feel something, and that's the most important thing.”

Songwriters in the round

This is a typical Wednesday evening at Writer’s ‘Round LA, a collective of L.A. based musicians and a weekly songwriter showcase. It’s born out of the Nashville-style tradition known as “writers in the round,” which originally meant a group of songwriters sitting in a circle, taking turns singing their songs.

“These songwriter rounds are very popular in Nashville and songwriting havens, but very rare out here in L.A. and the West coast in general,” said Greg Gilman, founder of Writer’s ‘Round L.A. and head of the band Greg in Good Company.

The format — which, for Writer’s ‘Round, means three artists put together on stage, each playing three songs per round — is said to promote intimacy and connection between artists and the audience.

“Right off the bat you're gonna get a better connection with artists you didn't know before by simply being on stage with them,” Gilman said. “It’s this special moment where for the rest of your career you can always say, ‘Oh yeah, we played that round together.’”

Musicians jam at Writer's 'Round in LA

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Mary-Alex @citrusfruitsnaps

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Like the folk-rock scene that flowered in L.A. in the late 60s and early 70s, Writer’s ‘Round artists influence each other musically. For example, hearing one artist’s song will help another artist finish theirs. They might harmonize or lend a baseline on each other’s tracks — that sort of thing.

“Sometimes we get full room singalongs, people riffing and soloing on other people's songs,” Gilman said.

But the energy around Writer’s ‘Round supports the artists in ways far beyond the music.

“I think of my entire support system and like my family all in Writer’s ‘Round,” said Tori Leppert, a singer-songwriter and curator at Writer’s ‘Round, originally from Chicago. “Which is kind of insane.”

“Writer’s ‘Round is the entire reason I’m still in L.A.,” added Kat Hamilton, another curator and musician. She said she struggled with finding “real friends and connections” when she first moved to L.A. from Philadelphia. Writer’s ‘Round “kept me in LA long enough to see all the ways LA can be a community.”

A lonely path for artists

Many artists like Hamilton and Leppert move to L.A. at a young age with a dream: to make it big — or at least make a living — playing music.

But the path to making that dream happen can be painful, they say.

“It’s a lonely road to be an independent artist. Speaking from personal experience, it can get very depressing, a lot of mental health issues,“ Gilman said. “I think artists are hit the hardest because along with all the other problems in the world, they're struggling with their own disappointment with where they're at.”

Beyond providing a sense of belonging and soothing feelings of loneliness, artists credit the connections they’ve made through music communities for progress in their careers.

“It's like we're all growing together as a collective,” said Ryan Cassata, a singer-songwriter originally from Long Island who is signed to the label Kill Rock Stars. “I really don't see that a lot in this city.”

After being signed to a record label, Cassata moved to L.A. in 2019 at the age of 22. But like so many artists, he said he struggled to find a community within L.A.’s music scene, feeling lost and lonely for the first few years.

“A lot of people have that feeling when they come to L.A. that it's kind of terrifying,” he said. “It's easy to get just swept under the rug and just be missed out on.”

But Cassata, who is trans, said he feels a sense of belonging in this city because of Writer’s ‘Round, musically and beyond.

“Being in this music community, I don't have to be like the trans guy. I actually just get to be Ryan. They just treat me like everyone else here, and most people here aren't queer,” he said. “And that's why I love being here so much. It's affirming to who I am.”

Play, or just come listen

Artists say music communities like this have helped revitalize the L.A. music scene in recent years, which has long suffered from a culture of promoter-driven shows and a “pay-to-play” mentality, as Gilman put it. And while Writer’s ‘Round is a haven — and often a lifeline — for L.A.’s musicians, you don’t have to be a musician to take part.

Musicians, quasi-musicians and music-lovers alike can simply show up on a Wednesday evening to hang, eat, drink and enjoy a night of folk-rock style live music.

Greg Gillman, founder of Writer's "Round LA sings

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Mary-Alex @citrusfruitsnaps

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For musicians out there who do want to play, you can put your name in a hat before 7:30 p.m. to have a chance to play the open mic portion of the night.

“All the benefits that come from coming to a community like this is from just being present,” Gilman said. “Being here and being open. Being less worried about playing and more worried about having a good time.”

Starting Saturday, Nov. 7, the 63-year-old Vincent Thomas Bridge will shut down until at least March 2028 for major construction. Workers will replace its deck, which has become “severely deteriorated” from thousands of vehicles driving across it daily.

The Vincent Thomas, which connects San Pedro to Terminal Island, is the state’s fourth-longest suspension bridge. It handles an estimated 53,000 vehicles — including 4,600 heavy trucks — each day.

The bridge is often the quickest route between San Pedro and Long Beach. Detours along Anaheim Street or Pacific Coast Highway could double many people’s commute times.

Tate Allen and his San Pedro neighbors have begun referring to the closure as “Harborgeddon.”

The Vincent Thomas Bridge will close to traffic starting Saturday, Nov. 7 in San Pedro, Monday, Nov. 2, 2026. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.Allen, with help from Claude AI, even put together a website bearing that name that has a countdown clock and a map of suggested detours.

Caltrans’ official detour recommends that drivers from San Pedro use the 110 Freeway to access Harry Bridges Boulevard, then take the 47 Freeway at Henry Ford Boulevard or the 710 Freeway.

That’s likely the route most truck drivers entering and exiting the Port of Long Beach will take, Allen said, and commute times could vary widely depending on the time of day.

He currently travels from San Pedro to his downtown Long Beach office three days a week. Once the bridge closes, his 15-minute drive will likely take 30-45 minutes, Allen estimated.

Ahead of the bridge closure, Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker, who represents District 15 including San Pedro and Wilmington, pushed for road improvements along the detours to prepare them for increased traffic.

In Wilmington, those efforts included “slurry sealing along Alameda Street and Harry Bridges Boulevard, with concrete repairs in some locations,” Sophie Gilchrist, the councilmember’s spokesperson, wrote in a statement.

McOsker is also asking the Los Angeles Department of Transportation to monitor traffic on Anaheim Street after the bridge closes and identify short-term and long-term fixes “if problems arise,” Gilchrist wrote.

Why is this happening now?

Caltrans began forming this plan after a 2021 inspection found that the bridge deck condition had dropped from “fair” to “poor” in part because of heavy truck traffic from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

That ultimately led to the $750 million bridge deck replacement project, which will also replace the center median, railing, fencing and install new seismic sensors and utilities on the bridge.

Caltrans officials say a full bridge closure was the most palatable of several unsavory options. Plans to just close the bridge at night would have stretched construction to 48 months. A mix of weekend and overnight closures to keep one lane open ranged between 25 and 32 months.

What does this mean for locals?

Business owners in San Pedro are worried that lengthy detours will frustrate potential customers and lead to a dip in sales.

Stephanie Crawford, who has owned Creative Pet Supply in San Pedro for the past 26 years, said construction on the 47 Freeway off-ramp just up the road from her business has already hurt.

Lately, she’s had “quite a few” customers from Long Beach asking how they’ll be able to visit her store once the bridge shuts down.

She’s been telling customers: “We’ll still be open, if you can get to us.”

The Vincent Thomas Bridge will be closed for repairs for over a year, starting Saturday, Nov. 7, in San Pedro, Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.The closure might also be a headache for the historic Warner Grand Theatre in downtown San Pedro, which is just finishing up renovations of its own, albeit at an inopportune time, said Liz Schindler Johnson, executive director of the Grand Vision Foundation – a nonprofit arts organization that markets the theater’s events.

On average, roughly 10-15% of their audience comes from Long Beach, Schindler Johnson said. She’s hoping they won’t be put off by the longer drive, especially because the shows primarily take place on weekends.

Two of her eight employees typically commute over the bridge to their San Pedro office and are bracing for added drive time, she said.

“We don’t want to go back to remote work if we can help it,” Schindler Johnson said.

Meanwhile, Allen is trying to stay positive. The longer drive, he said, will give him an excuse to catch up on audiobooks and check out a new grocery store — the Northgate Market along Pacific Coast Highway in Wilmington.

Construction of the green metal fence around MacArthur Park will begin Monday, Nov. 16, with work scheduled to continue through fall 2027.

The city announced the start date Nov. 4, saying crews will install an 8-foot fence around the park’s perimeter. Nearby residents and businesses can expect some noise, dust and vibration during construction, although the city said mitigation measures will be in place.

Crews will work Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., and the park will remain open while crews are working. 

The fence is the city’s latest attempt to tackle longstanding problems at MacArthur Park, including drug use, homelessness and crime.

The city first approved plans for the fence in October 2025, and the proposal has since drawn both support and criticism from residents and community groups.

Some say they hope the fence will make the park safer, while others question whether it will actually improve conditions there. Police and city officials say the fence will give them more control over the space and make it easier to enforce the law.

Ana Luz Vazquez, a street vendor near MacArthur Park, said her main concern about the fence is what will happen to the unhoused people who stay in the park throughout the day and whether the city plans to address that issue directly.

She is also concerned that construction during the day could affect her ability to work because of traffic, less parking availability and loud noise.

Vazquez said she would prefer construction to take place at night so it would have less of an impact on street vendors.

“If they’re working in the day then how are we supposed to come here and who is going to help us survive,” Vazquez said.

Construction will happen in two phases

Phase 1

• Alvarado St. from W. 6th St. to Wilshire Blvd.
• S. Park View St. from Wilshire Blvd. to W. 6th St.
• Wilshire Blvd. from Alvarado St. to S. Park View St.

Phase 2

• Alvarado St. from Wilshire Blvd. to W. 7th St.
• S. Park View St. from W. 7th St. to Wilshire Blvd.
• Wilshire Blvd. from S. Park View St. to Alvarado St.
• W. 7th St. from Alvarado St. to S. Park View St.

Existing trees will be protected and monitored during the work, according to the Department of Recreation and Parks. Traffic control measures will be in place during work hours, and crews will post temporary “No Parking” signs near active work areas in advance.

Services at the park are expected to remain the same throughout construction. The schedule could change because of weather or other unforeseen circumstances, according to the city.

The city has allocated $2.3 million for the project, but officials have not said whether that will cover the full cost.

After the fence is installed, the city plans a second phase focused on adding decorative elements. Officials have said residents will have an opportunity to provide input on the design.

Residents with questions or concerns about the project can contact Recreation and Parks at RAP.PublicInfo@lacity.org or (213) 202-2700.

The post MacArthur Park fence construction to begin Nov. 16 appeared first on LA Local.

The city of L.A.'s current sales tax is 10.25%. But after the region’s stretched firefighting services became visible during the devastating 2025 fires, voters solidly approved Measure FD this week, increasing the rate to 10.75%.

It’s expected to raise nearly $350 million yearly for the L.A. Fire Department to hire more firefighters, purchase vehicles and upgrade fire stations.

How and when the increase will trickle down to you

L.A.'s sales tax will go up to 10.75% after the passing of measure FD.

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Julia Kozlov

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Getty Images

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It’s likely you won’t start paying the additional sales tax until spring. The exact date is difficult to predict: The measure says the tax will be collected on “the first day of the first calendar quarter commencing more than one hundred ten (110) days after the adoption of this Ordinance” by the L.A. City Council. The L.A. County Registrar-Recorder has until Dec. 3 to certify county elections.

Until then, the City of L.A.’s 10.25% sales tax won’t change. Then it will go up to 10.75%.

(It’s important to know that money doesn’t all go to the city. The state of California has a base sales tax of 7.25% to which cities add.)

A $1,000 laptop, for example, would carry $102.50 in sales tax. But the sales tax increase would raise that sales tax by $5 on that computer.

Under state law, the municipal sales tax will be charged on merchandise such as furniture, giftware, toys, antiques, clothing and restaurant food.

Grocery food and medicine are exempt, however.

How L.A.’s increased sales tax compares to elsewhere

Highest:

• 11.75%: Palmdale and Lancaster (highest in the nation)
• 11.5%: Santa Fe Springs
• 11.25%: Azusa, Bell Gardens, Calabasas, City of Commerce, Compton, Covina, Culver City, Gardena, Glendora, Irwindale, Lynwood, Pico Rivera, San Marino, South Gate, Santa Monica
• 10.25%: Bell, Beverly Hills, Bradbury, Cerritos, City of Industry, Claremont, Diamond Bar, Hermosa Beach, Hidden Hills, La Habra Heights, La Mirada, Maywood, Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, Redondo Beach, Rolling Hills, Rolling Hills Estates, Rosemead, San Dimas, Santa Clarita, Walnut, West Covina, Westlake Village

Lowest:

• 7.75%: Tustin, Huntington Beach, San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano
• 7.25%: Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Camarillo

Outside of California:

• 10.4%: Seattle
• 10.5% : Chicago
• 8.25%: Dallas
• 8.875%: New York City

Next time you get sticker shock after you swipe your card or phone to pay for something, remember that cities turn around and use that money to pay for water, trash collection, police and emergency services with that money.

The California Coastal Commission voted Thursday to allow transportation authorities to build a quarter-mile-long seawall just south of San Clemente State Beach to protect the coastal railroad from rising sea levels and coastal erosion. The plan also includes a major influx of sand for local beaches.

Why this matters

The tracks that carry passengers on the Pacific Surfliner between Orange County and San Diego have shut down frequently in recent years due to rising sea levels and erosion. Rail authorities have dumped thousands of tons of boulders on the beach to buttress the tracks. Now, they’re hoping a seawall will buy them time to come up with a more permanent solution. Not everyone is happy about the plan. Critics say seawalls cause waves to refract and dig deeper, ultimately stripping away even more sand in the long run.

What else do I need to know?

Environmental groups and local tribal authorities say the emergency work has already ruined the beach. To mitigate the negative effects, authorities will haul in close to 700,000 cubic yards of new sand to San Clemente beaches over the coming year.

What's the official reaction?

Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley released a statement hailing the decision. “Today’s unanimous approval from the California Coastal Commission marks a major milestone to save our critical coastal rail corridor and restore San Clemente’s iconic beaches following decades of erosion and inaction,” Foley said. “The placement of 690,000 cubic yards of sand represents the region’s largest beach nourishment effort in decades and demonstrates our commitment to long-term coastal resilience."

She added: “Wide sandy beaches provide a natural buffer for our rail corridor while protecting our coastline, expanding public access, and supporting our local economy. Through continued collaboration with our state, regional, and local partners, we will advance lasting solutions that protect our beaches and preserve this vital transportation corridor for future generations.”