Jason Toney

We just wanted to give a hearty thank you to everyone who came out to celebrate with us last night! We spent all our booze money and had lots of fun conversations about tae bo, gay Texas Republicans, food thieves, riding the bus, mobile phone companies, reality tv and those pesky local blog rivalries. Along with about 90% of our contributor staff, we had the go fug yourself ladies, Mike from franklin avenue, Marc...

Join us tonight as we celebrate one year of LAist (even though its been about 13 months of LAist at this point). We'll be at The Vermont Bar and Restaurant -- on the bar side -- from about 8PM on and we're buying the booze...at least until our money runs out. Come drink with us!...

McMansions, the suburban blight sweeping the rest of the nation has finally arrived in the San Fernando Valley but LA isn't taking it sitting down. The City Council passed an ordinance that effectively limits the building of exceptionally large homes on lots not meant for that size. Several other local communities expect to put into effect similar ordinances. Charlotte Laws, Valley Glen's Councilperson, has some specific non-aesthetic reasons to limit mansionization. A bonus for...

Mark Lisanti might get the headlines but it is that other local blogebrity that gets the ladies. Tony Pierce, who we interviewed in January, is celebrating the fourth anniversary of his bus blog today. As he notes, of all the Tonys in the world, Google ranks him as #3. That's pretty damn impressive, Tony. Happy Blogiversary! photo by George Kelly....

Where did July go? The end of the month snuck up on us today and so here we are working and reflecting. LAist had its one year anniversary early in July but we're just getting around to celebrating it this week. Thursday, in fact. Details to come as we get even closer to the date. Today, we want to point you towards our new rss feed (and if you scroll down the homepage, you'll find...

According to the Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau, 94% of international tourists that come to Santa Monica visit the promenade. Really? Wow. We don't dislike the promenade. Parking isn't the best but it could be a lot worse and while it is often crowded, it isn't overwhelmingly so. We just don't get why it is so loved by visitors. As time has passed, 3rd street has found itself with fewer and fewer unique...

We called it Hell-A-X two weeks ago but a new study focusing on the risks of construction at the airport points out that it could get a lot worse. Both The Daily Breeze and the LA Times write about the 1500 page report that includes details on moving a runway closer to El Segundo. The Times focuses on the health risks, cancer in particular, while The Breeze focuses on...the noise. El Segundo is suing...

KCRW has gone podcast crazy and last week launched their first "music" cast with KCRW's Morning Becomes Eclectic showcasing local talent. Their first guest was Goldspot -- a rock/pop band with traditional indian music sensibilities. The band takes their show to the stage tomorrow night with a show at the Troubador and we want to send you and a guest to the show. No big contest entry form this time. The first person to...

Tonight at 826LA, you can hear LA Weekly blogger Joshua Bearman, Josh Kun (UC Riverside Prof and new music label head) and Salvadore Plascencia will read from their separate books and essays that, in some way, speak on the mixing, melding and clashing of cultures north and south of the border. Free refreshments from tu ciudad and photos by Yvonne Venegas are also on the menu! The reading begins at 7:30 PM and you...

The Times takes a look at the counter-culture to cool today and who did they turn to for a little non-trendy perspective? One of LAist's own, Adrienne Crew. We won't make fun of Adrienne for calling us "youngsters" and instead we'll try to figure out how Christian Chensvold knew about our growing interest in lawn bowling and our intense attraction to chicks who knit. And, if you didn't know, Adrienne not only showcases her...