Jessica Ritz

Critics rarely make proclamations in mainstream print publications such as "we're all sucking on the same pop cultural crack pipe," or emphatically proclaim unbridled anticipation of indulging in a "foul, foul show." That's why LAist is grateful that Heather Havrilesky, the Salon.com television critic, is here to tell us what stinks and what's good, and she does it with prodigious and hilarious frankness. This tell-it-like-it-is approach has attracted a loyal readership who gladly fork...

In an effort to chip away at the large number of sweatshops in Los Angeles's complicated garment industry, the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that requires contractors who manufacture uniforms and related goods bought by municipal entities to agree to a code of conduct. Pre-approved contractors and firms must adhere to workplace laws or risk losing the City of Los Angeles as a client. The projected fiscal impact includes the $50,000 paid to...

In an effort to chip away at the large number of sweatshops in Los Angeles's complicated garment industry, the City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that requires contractors who manufacture uniforms and related goods bought by municipal entities to agree to a code of conduct. Pre-approved contractors and firms must adhere to workplace laws or risk losing the City of Los Angeles as a client. The projected fiscal impact includes the $50,000 paid to...

"Histo-tainer" Charles Phoenix dazzles audiences with images and stories that would otherwise be lost to the landfill and the winds of time. An avid collector of slides, photographs, and other historic memorabilia, Charles generously showcases his archived treasures of Americana with the public. The side-splittingly hilarious narrated slide shows provide fascinating insights into our regional experience. They also serve as the best visual vehicle for learning the histories of those two hallowed Southern California...

"Histo-tainer" Charles Phoenix dazzles audiences with images and stories that would otherwise be lost to the landfill and the winds of time. An avid collector of slides, photographs, and other historic memorabilia, Charles generously showcases his archived treasures of Americana with the public. The side-splittingly hilarious narrated slide shows provide fascinating insights into our regional experience. They also serve as the best visual vehicle for learning the histories of those two hallowed Southern California...

Whether your side claimed victory or conceded defeat, those of us who choose to publicly proclaim our politics to friends and strangers alike are faced with an odd dilemma. How long should you leave that bumper sticker on, or leave that sign in the window? Do you trash the political t-shirts amassed over the course of the campaign, should you continue to wear them with pride, or are they headed straight to the personal...

Whether your side claimed victory or conceded defeat, those of us who choose to publicly proclaim our politics to friends and strangers alike are faced with an odd dilemma. How long should you leave that bumper sticker on, or leave that sign in the window? Do you trash the political t-shirts amassed over the course of the campaign, should you continue to wear them with pride, or are they headed straight to the personal...

Few people in Los Angeles are as plugged into the urban and cultural planning scenes and other fascinating areas of overlap as James Rojas. In addition to his 9-to-5 as a project manager at the MTA, James's irons in the fire include helming the Latino Urban Forum and lecturing on various planning and cultural issues at venues that range from the university to the community grass roots level. He's also co-owner of the Gallery...

Like other Angelenos, LAist.com tries hard to separate the myth of "Hollywood" from the reality of Los Angeles and avoids the temptation to constantly reference the entertainment business. Yet, the "Industry" is one of Southern California's major economies and impacts our lives in myriad ways. For example, a conference on Saturday at the Huntington Library in San Marino focused on how the entertainment industry shaped (and continues to shape) our region's urban design. Planners,...

Few people in Los Angeles are as plugged into the urban and cultural planning scenes and other fascinating areas of overlap as James Rojas. In addition to his 9-to-5 as a project manager at the MTA, James's irons in the fire include helming the Latino Urban Forum and lecturing on various planning and cultural issues at venues that range from the university to the community grass roots level. He's also co-owner of the Gallery...