Kristy Pyke

Photo by cuttlefish via Flickr Assembly Bill 1998, which would ban single-use plastic bags, passed out of committee today and will now be taken to the Assembly floor for a vote. Santa Monica Assemblywoman Julia Brownley’s bill prohibits any retail establishment that meets the definition of a “supermarket” from distributing plastic or paper single-use bags. The bill’s entrance into full Assembly marks the furthest Brownley‘s bill on plastic bags has gone. Her last bill,...

Photo by rippdrda via Flickr Rancho Palos Verdes’ Memorial celebration is turning out to be more controversial than the city might have expected. The Palos Verdes Peninsula News posted an article last week revealing the city's plan to release 1,500 balloons in the air at Green Hills Memorial Park on Monday in commemoration of the fallen soldiers. 250 yellow balloons will symbolize the returned soldiers and 250 black balloons will represent the America POW’s...

UCLA Live Director David Sefton announced this week his resignation after controversy over the program's restructuring. Due to budget cuts the program that is known for having one the top international theatre festivals in Los Angeles is losing the man who made it what it is. UCLA Live had a previous budget of about $9 million annually to bring in the top music, dance, and touring theater companies to the campus. But Dean of...

Photo by ninjapoodles via Flickr The proposed statewide ban on plastic bags has until next Friday, June 4th to pass or the process starts all over again. Supporters are calling for a final push to secure AB 1998's survival, which will ban the use of plastic bags at grocery and retail stores. Many people feel that ban will directly result in marine protection in an area known as the Pacific Garbage Patch, which extends...

Photo by me_lissamon via Flickr California spends $10 billion on incarceration -- that's about $3 billion more than it does on the UC and CSU education systems. To jail an adult, it costs about $46,000 a year. A minor costs even more: a staggering $252,000 a year. These numbers are the reason Congressman Bobby Scott (D - VA) is working to pass a bill ( HR 3846) that could inject $2.9 billion into gang...

Photo by Franco Bouly via Flickr Jason Calacanis, famous blogger and founder of Santa Monica-based Mahalo, joined the ever-growing movement to quit Facebook and deleted his account around noon today. Calacanis blogged saying, “simply put, I no longer trust Facebook or Mark Zuckerberg (the founder of Facebook) with my information”. He pointed out that even when you delete your account you can log back in at any time, which means Facebook still has all...

The brush fire burning near Corona is said to have been started by a mower-powered tractor, according to the local paper Press Enterprise. Cal Fire Capt. Phil Rawlings explained that while cutting weeds the mower hit a rock throwing a spark that started the fire. Burning up to 900 acres as of this morning, the McKinley Fire got dangerously close to homes but nothing was damaged. Firefighters expect to have the brush fire completely...

Photo by Menage a Moi via Flickr Assemblywoman Julia Brownley is taking another shot at reducing plastic waste currently endangering marine life and littering our coast. Back in 2008 she introduced AB 68 that would have charged a 25-cent fee for every single-use plastic bag used in grocery stores and other retail outlets. But because of the costs to collect those fees -- in hopes of distributing them to education programs -- the bill...

In honor of what would have been Harvey Milk’s 80th birthday, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared tomorrow to be the first ever “Harvey Milk Day.” The day will be celebrated with special appearances, demonstrations, BBQ’s, and events all over Los Angeles County. The official celebration will take place at Madame Tussauds with special appearances from Stuart Milk, Harvey Milk’s nephew, and comedian Bruce Vilanch. Starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow volunteers will also gather at...

On the set of LOST in Oahu, Hawaii | Photo by ewen and donabel via Flickr As the LOST phenomenon comes to an end this Sunday, fans around the country are making plans to celebrate the only way they know how: over the top, obsessive, and with other addicts. Facing the reality that this is the last episode ever, fans seem to be seeking out other people who will appreciate it just as much....