With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Slice of Life LA: Bike Commuting with Nicole Richie and the Bag Lady
()
A Memorial Weekend BBQ in East Hollywood was my destination yesterday. And since my recent habit has been to use public transit mixed with the bike, that's what I set out to do from my Sherman Oaks flat.
First, I was off to Ralphs Fresh Fare at Ventura and Coldwater to pick up some food. I shop, exit and head to my bike. Right then, an escalade pulls up and parks in the fire lane (asshole). A man who could have been a bouncer gets out of the car and hides behind it as he takes photos of something. I turn and it looks like an 14-year-old emaciated version of Nicole Richie. Oh wait, it is Nicole Richie. Gross. Other photographers swarm around the grocery store as Ralphs staff guards the doors protecting one of their many celeb shoppers who pass through here.
I bike through the parking lot towards the bus stop and see Alimi Ballard (of Numb3rs) being ignored by the paparazzi as he puts his groceries in his car. He's cool. I like his show.
Support for LAist comes from
I catch a bus down Ventura to the Universal City Red Line station and head underground. A crowd of friends and family is around a man lying on the ground with a woman at a call box asking for help. It seems he just collapsed after a long day at Universal Studios. Seeing nothing I could do to help the situation other than gawk, I moved on and caught a train towards Hollywood.
At Hollywood and Vine, the one of many crazy bag ladies in our city enter. But something is different about her. She is wearing a backpack that something everyone in LA should carry around, but no one does. In the past, I only know one person who carries one of these around and she works for the city's Emergency Preparedness Department. Of all people to be prepared, it was the crazy bag lady with her 72-hour emergency backpack. I feel ashamed as I should be carrying one around too.
I get off at Sunset and Vermont and head West. My destination is on the safest street in Los Angeles and where I should expect to see some crazy shenanigans nonetheless. Here, I arrive at a BBQ on a side street that is one side, apartments, one side, Scientology Centre.
The most normal part of my day begins as I open the gate to the apartment complex.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
Best of LAist