Jason Toney

We want to be really excited going into our long weekend that celebrates our nation's independence. We have a new Mayor in Antonio Villaraigosa who, immediately and willingly, becomes a national political figure and may, if his rhetoric at the progressive conference is to be believed, help push American government to look forward instead of backwards in its urban planning, renewal and management and keep LA in the national conversation. We want to be...

Well, we can't promise that the star of Herbie: Fully Loaded will be at either of James Frey's readings in town this weekend but if she's going to make an appearance in New York, why not in her home base? Frey's new memoir, My Friend Leonard, takes up where A Million Little Pieces left off and covers a kind of father-son relationship that formed between him and another drug addict. Why Lohan connects with...

The Iraq War Casualties Map has been making us sad all afternoon. We found it via Lifehacker who found it through Kottke. At last tally, 191 of the soldiers who have died in Operation Iraqi Freedom were Californians....

Sometimes we hate Hollywood endings. We knew nothing of Domino Harvey before we saw the very cool trailer (the best trailer we've seen this year) for Domino before Kung Fu Hustle in the spring. Kiera Knightley, who impressed us in The Jacket, was intoxicating as this former model now bounty hunter dominating what appeared to be this darkly comic true story flick written by Donnie Darko's Richard Kelly. Now, the real Domino Harvey is...

Yesterday, podcasting went mainstream. Apple's iTunes issued an upgrade, the ninth such upgrade of the 4.x version of our favorite digital media player (and as an aside, it begs the question of what additions will be made to a 5.0 version, that kind of jump usually marks a large leap in software tech right? Video Cast? Non-quicktime based streaming media?), and all of a sudden the world knows about feed-based subscription style sound files....

Franklin Avenue's piece on the expansion of Barney's Beanery with an upcoming new Pasadena location reminded us of this LA Independent article from last week that we had forgotten to finish reading. Not only has the relatively new ownership expanded the dive bar with a Santa Monica location and the restructuring of the Pasadena Q's Billiards but they've quietly started to reverse a long history of homophobia that most recently showcased itself with the...

Did you go to South LA yesterday and try to get your All-Star Celebrity game tickets in exchange for an HIV test? Magic Johnson sponsored a day of free testing as part of National HIV Testing Day activities. While there's no shot of those nice prizes, it still is testing week and HIV LA has a directory of all the locations providing free testing around Los Angeles for the rest of the week....

We're already obsessed with allconsuming and 43things, the tag-friendly websites created by the robot co-op (and funded by Amazon.com) meant to help you keep track of what you and others are doing, attempting and consuming, but 43places might be even cooler. Smooth, glossy and elegant, 43places integrates flickr photos into this shared experience of travel and adventure. What we love about flickr is the fascinating way it allows us to see the world through...

With the debate going on on this site this week about whether or not Angelenos are good drivers, maybe it's time to put away the car keys and practice switching gears. Bike Summer is about to enter its final days in Los Angeles. The month long event is all about bicycle love. Today and tomorrow, Bike Summer also coincides with the Bicycle Film Festival. Starting this evening, the Vine Theatre will be wall to...

If Res, Garth and Me'shell like them, they must be good, right? Well, tonight you get to decide for yourself as A Race of Angels performs at Little Temple while Jeremy Sole spins the afrobeat, funk and hip hop records. They will also perform with Me'Shell Ndegeocello Monday night at the El Rey. A Race of Angels are an LA based contemporary soul/funk explosion. Think Zero 7 with some kick. They've worked with other...