Zach Behrens

Photo by Joits via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr The data from the FAA has been released showing that there have were 944 bird strikes at LAX between 1990 and 2008. Most all of those incident resulted in little or no damage, according to the LA Times. If this seems like a high number, one should be wary of comparing to other airpots. "I would caution against comparing one airport's numbers to...

A lot people jokingly talk about how lame Lake Mead can be. That's because Lake Mead's web url goes like this: www.nps.org/lame, a product of the National Park Service's naming policy (take the first two letters of the first two words--they actually did change the nickname of Carlsbad Caverns National Park). Anyway, the truly lame thing that is happening these days for the popular destinations for Southern Californians is that the water levels are...

How silly can things get? Yesterday instead of choosing either or, the Metro Board approved both names for the new Gold Line portion due to open this summer. Take your pick: Edward R. Roybal Metro Gold Line Eastside Extension or la Linea de Oro, Edward R. Roybal. At some point in the future, they will decide what to call the Expo Line, which hasn't officially been named yet. Some would like it to be...

On April 5th, this little guy was born at the LA Zoo. So congrats to his parents, Neema and Artimus. "Able to stand shortly after birth, calves can grow four feet during their first year. When full grown, giraffes can reach a height of 18 feet, making them tallest land mammal," says the Zoo. "Native to Kenya and Tanzania, giraffes can reach a speed of 35 miles per hour. Their kicks are so powerful...

(Zach Behrens/LAist) There's a tiny restaurant row between Laurel Canyon and Carpenter in Studio City. From Laurel Tavern to Arb Pizza and Vegan Plate to LaLa's Argentine Grill, among many others, there is plenty to choose from. But there's nothing like dining on the sidewalk next to a busy seven lane artery (that includes parking lanes)--nothing like it because it's not a very satisfying experience. But come next month a median currently under construction...

TV show host Jay Leno fell ill today and was checked into the hospital prompting the 'Tonight Show' to be canceled. It was not immediately known what caused his illness (food poisoning is rumored), but he reportedly checked himself into the hospital and is recuperating. Animal trainer Jules Sylvester and actor Ryan Reynolds and the band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy were to appear, according to LAist's TV Junkie column. A rerun will air instead....

County Supervisor and Metro Board Member Gloria Molina wants to offiicially rename the Edward R. Roybal Gold Line Eastside Extension to its direct Spanish translation: la linea de oro, Edward R. Roybal. That's because the communities it serves are more than 95% Latino. The Metro board will vote on the matter today, a couple months short of the line's expected grand opening....

Long standing programs to help low-income individuals and families save money on their utility bills and to purchase energy-efficient appliances and equipment are not totally being taken advantage of by 900,000 Californians. That's why this week utility companies like Southern California Edison and LADWP are making an effort to push these programs. Basically, if your total household has a total income of less than a certain amount, you're eligible (see a chart and info...

Over a half million dollars in pay raises for State Democrat and Republican Assembly staffers have been canceled amidst media and public pressure that broke yesterday afternoon. “I absolutely don’t want the people who oppose public education and who want to drown government in a bathtub to use this as some sort of club against the responsible, urgently needed ballot initiatives Californians will be voting on,” Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) said at...

Photo by Gamma Infinity via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr The heat wave comes to a cooler calm today, but yesterday was still a scorcher for some. Here's the breakdown from the National Weather Service: Downtown LA soared to 95, breaking a 1997 of 94. LAX hit 90, beating the record 89 of 1987. 97 in Burbank, which beats the 91 set in 1958. Woodland Hills fried at 98, one degree higher...

Johnathan Rice plays at the 2008 Sunset Junction Street Festival (see more photos here) | Photo by Koga/LAist An e-mail sent out from an online ticketing vendor today advertised this year's Sunset Junction, but city officials say no street closure and event permits have been granted to the festival. TicketWeb lists admission for the popular and longstanding event at $15 each day for August 22nd and 23rd confusing attendees who thought the festival was...

Photo by Robert Couse-Baker via Flickr When the banking industry tried to justify their expensive habits they do for employees to President Obama last month, he gave them a stern warning: "Be careful how you make those statements, gentlemen. The public isn't buying that. My administration is the only thing between you and the pitchforks." Yesterday, news hit that over a half million in state funds was used to give more than 120 employees...