Carolyn Kellogg

Shanghaiist probably knows a little more about China than the Chicago Sun-Times. Giving them the benefit of the doubt on that one. The city does to have a music scene. Don't even front like they don't. They also have Dorito bananas and white guys shopping for wives. What they don't have is any more tolerance for jaywalkers. Bostonist sees Boston and Somerville each whip out their art and face off. A plagiarized novel is the...

Today's real estate section in the LA Times includes a short feature on a $4.3 million home in Los Feliz that was restored and tastefully upgraded by Tim Curry. Which is fine with us, and a lot cooler than the creepy Rick Dees Tolouca Lake manse also featured in the paper (Dees bulldozed a 1930's Bette Davis home to build the $6 million crapbox he's now selling). But we're not plunking down the $4.3...

and they're off! Tune in as early as 2pm our time to watch the Kentucky Derby and its hoopla today (the race is scheduled for 3pm). If it saddens you that it's not easy being a jockey, we suggest a traditional mint julep or two to lighten your mood. get out! The LA Times' most e-mailed story is a political OpEd by retired Lt General William E. Odom that says it's time for us...

Today's Daily Breeze has a feature story on Mary Geiser, an 88-year-old Torrance crochet fiend. In two years, Mary has crocheted more than 900 caps for orphans, cancer patients, the homeless and US troops in chilly places like Afghanistan. But crocheting, of course, isn't just for grannies anymore. Crocheting, knitting and other crafty pursuits have been reclaimed by the young and rebellious and are all over the blogsphere. We're particularly charmed by Crazy Aunt...

buns in the oven? Anna Nicole Smith, who just had the Supreme Court side with her (sort of) against her nasty stepson, is rumored to be pregnant — with twins. Our favorite part of the story is the name of her lawyer, who issued a non-denial of the pregnancy yesterday: he's Howard K. Stern. Disney hottie While we're talking about centerfolds, Kara Monaco, a former staff cast member of Walt Disney World, who used...

LAist got several tips yesterday about a planned flyover of the M:i:III premiere. An enterprising young man had raised funds online to fly two planes into Hollywood with banners that read "Hail Xenu As you probably know, Xenu is the evil alien that is an important figure in some of Scientology's most closely guarded myths. And as you no doubt are aware, Tom Cruise is a Scientologist. And we're guessing you also know that...

This Sunday, five museums in Northeast LA will throw open their doors (and garden gates) for free. They call it Museusm of the Arroyo Day; it's now in its 16th year. If you've got the energy to hit all 5, take the Gold Line to the Southwest Museum for starters — be sure to wander the halls, as it closes for a long-overdue renovation in July — and then board free shuttles to the...

Every week in Living in Sin, Jen Sincero provides advice to LA's sexually curious. Now you can see her column in print, too, in the LA Alternative Press. Ask Jen your questions: all are posted anonymously. Dear Jen, I'm a virgin who's never slept with a man or a woman (though I'm interested in both). I want to save my, um, penetration virginity until I get married, and am thinking my best bet would...

so you wanna be a rock-n-roll star Sherman Oaks' own Katharine McPhee sailed through the latest "American Idol" round. The 22-year old wowed viewers with her rendition of the abysmal "Against All Odds" by Phil Collins. want to be the governor Despite not getting an endorsement from the Democratic party, State Controller (and Democrat) Steve Westly is still running hard for California Governor. At a debate with Phil Angelides yesterday, the two tusseled over...

Moderator: Janet Fitch Panelists: (from left to right) Chris Abani, Steve Erickson, Michelle Huneven, Jim Krusoe Two transplants (Abani from Nigeria and Krusoe from the midwest) and two natives (Erickson, Huneven) take on what it means to be a writer in Los Angeles. Erickson and Huneven were on a similar panel last year. We culled a few of this year's best (and lamest) quips. The high points: Chris Abani says, "The idea of being...