Jessica Ritz

Since the membership drive ended a few weeks ago (and, by the way, KPCC's ends today), folks who made their KCRW pledges are now receiving their band new baby blue Fringe Benefits cards in the mail. Based on the fervent announcements made during the drives, you'd think all the money you'll save is almost equivalent to your 401K. But then reality sets in. And without keeping a running tally of expenses mitigated by the...

From policy wonk round tables to living room party chit chat, just about everybody loves to talk real estate. Today's LA Times piece about the UCLA Anderson Forecast's assessment of the California real estate market gives us new material. Some potential outcomes are disquieting for the economy at-large. In the words of Christopher Thornberg, Senior Economist on the Forecast team, "the best-case scenario is mediocre." Because real estate and related industries have propped up...

From policy wonk round tables to living room party chit chat, just about everybody loves to talk real estate. Today's LA Times piece about the UCLA Anderson Forecast's assessment of the California real estate market gives us new material. Some potential outcomes are disquieting for the economy at-large. In the words of Christopher Thornberg, Senior Economist on the Forecast team, "the best-case scenario is mediocre." Because real estate and related industries have propped up...

According to the LA Times Food section's focus on Italophilic gastronomy in Los Angeles, our new Little Italy is located in... Brentwood? Valli Herman's article notes: It happens in Hollywood, it happens in real estate and now it's happening in Brentwood. It's a kind of copycat syndrome. In movies, they're called sequels. In real estate, it's called gentrification. In Brentwood, it's called an explosion in Italian restaurants. We understand the market for high-end cuisine...

According to the LA Times Food section's focus on Italophilic gastronomy in Los Angeles, our new Little Italy is located in... Brentwood? Valli Herman's article notes: It happens in Hollywood, it happens in real estate and now it's happening in Brentwood. It's a kind of copycat syndrome. In movies, they're called sequels. In real estate, it's called gentrification. In Brentwood, it's called an explosion in Italian restaurants. We understand the market for high-end cuisine...

Over the years LAist has begun to view the local polling place as yet another benefit of participating in the democratic process. Sometimes the room in which we cast a ballot isn't exciting architecturally, and if it's a sorry day for voter turn-out, nor is there much in the way of sociological interest. But whether it be a private home, a high school gymnasium, or ranger's station, more often than not we've found ourselves...

Over the years LAist has begun to view the local polling place as yet another benefit of participating in the democratic process. Sometimes the room in which we cast a ballot isn't exciting architecturally, and if it's a sorry day for voter turn-out, nor is there much in the way of sociological interest. But whether it be a private home, a high school gymnasium, or ranger's station, more often than not we've found ourselves...

Writer Michelle Huneven delves into all aspects of life in Southern California, from the material to the spiritual and everything in between. She is the author of two published works of fiction, Jamesland (2004) and Round Rock (1998), as well as many pieces of non-fiction journalism. She's also familiar to readers as a former restaurant critic for the LA Weekly. 1. Age and Occupation: 51, Writer 2. How long have you lived in Los...

Writer Michelle Huneven delves into all aspects of life in Southern California, from the material to the spiritual and everything in between. She is the author of two published works of fiction, Jamesland (2004) and Round Rock (1998), as well as many pieces of non-fiction journalism. She's also familiar to readers as a former restaurant critic for the LA Weekly. 1. Age and Occupation: 51, Writer 2. How long have you lived in Los...

LAist just returned from that dreaded, onerous chore -- a weekday lunchtime run to the post office. In Hollywood, we've got the choice between long lines and grand architecture at Hollywood Station on Wilcox, or efficiency wrapped in corporate design drek at "cheap and tawdry" (in the authoritative words of the most recently updated Gebhard and Winter architectural guide) Hollywood + Highland. The latter's near secret status helps ensure (for now) super speedy service;...