Extra, Extra: Rains Drain Hillside's Refrain

• While the rains yesterday helped alleviate some of the dryness under which southern California has been hampered, it did little to lessen the worries of those in fire-stricken areas. Streaming rivers of rain created mudslides and prompted officials to call for mass evacuations. Flash flood warnings remain in effect. But, hey, it's LA, and today was clear and beautiful.
  
• A woman who poisoned her Marine husband to buy a boob job with the insurance money is getting a new trial. You know, there are easier ways to get a free implants. You could have just gone on the Howard Stern where he would humiliate you and your small breasts until you cry and beg for the free surgery. But, hey, humiliation wanes in comparison to never seeing the light of day again.
  
• Was your high school on the list? Eleven L.A. area schools made it on the top 100 list of best high schools in the country. Please, my high school doesn't need to be on such a list. We excelled in other areas, like most artistic bathroom graffiti, or most apathetic student body and, of course, most impressive gang fights. Ah, there were some good ones. Real gladiator like events.
  
• There's a half-marathon tomorrow in the Griffith Park/Silver Lake/Downtown areas. Prepare accordingly by checking out the map of road closures.
  
• Jon Weisman, over at Dodger Thoughts, has a pretty handy guide of where injured Dodgers are on their road to recovery. Raffy Furcal might be well enough to play winter ball and Derek Lowe might even be up to hitting on sportscasters again. We can only hope.
  
• Republican Pres. candidate and former TV prosecutor Fred Thompson will be in Orange County today. While the area is certainly hip to his conservative cause, it could be too little too late for the candidate is well behind in most CA polls after sp far failing to muster the energy needed to convince the base he was the second coming of Reagan.
  
• Is Councilman and former Police Chief Bernard Parks on the wrong side of the 3/12 work schedule in which officers are able to work three, 12-hour shifts, which is popular among many cops who don't live in LA? Mayor Sam thinks so.
  
• Finally, while the region is mired in college football fever, UCLA and USC will be battling top-ten opponents tomorrow. #1 UCLA will play #8 Texas tomorrow and #22 USC plays #4 Kansas. Strong showings by both west coast teams could go a long way toward sending a message that the Pac-10 is the best conference in the country. Kick some ass Brojans!
  

Photo by ~db~ via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr