Zach Behrens

Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist Parking at the popular Wilacre Park (see LAist's photo essay) in Studio City used to $3, but no one parked in the pay lot because street parking on Fryman Canyon was a free-for-all. That didn't help the residents who had to fight the crowded side streets abut an empty parking lot. So a compromise of sorts was set forth a couple years ago: lower the price of parking to $1...

It was yesterday in 1944 when the LA Times reported "snow flurries and a violent 10-minute hailstorm [that] laid a white canopy over most of Los Angeles." City Hall from First and Spring is shown here to the right. While that was unusual, a few years later on the same date, a most unfortunate explosion rocked a downtown factory killing 17 and injuring 151, blogdowntown finds. The blast was heard from as far as...

In the past, celebrities have helped bring awareness to HIV/AIDS when they've grace the red carpets in their fashion clad gowns and suits donning a small red ribbon. Since then, differently colored ribbons and other accessories have appeared, from pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness to Lance Armstrong's Live Strong yellow bracelets. Tomorrow at the Oscars, we may see a newer ribbon--actually a knot--show up: the white knot. In response to Prop 8 protests...

In 2001, California native Chandra Levy disappeared while interning at the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington D.C. Her body was not found until a year later in Rock Creek Park, but the investigation revealed that California Congressman Gary Condit (D-Modesto) was having an affair with her, even though he was not considered a suspect. Now, 27-year-old Ingmar Guandique, a Salvadorian immigrant who was questioned by police for Levy's murder and is currently serving...

Feeling like the winner already? Maybe this is a three fingered salute | Photo by ChuckThePhotographer via Flickr Two-time defending champion of the Tour of California, Levi Leipheimer won Friday's 15-mile time trial from Solvang through the Santa Ynez Valley and back, helping inching him closer to a third victory. Now in a lead of 36 seconds, all eyes are on him. "Now, any assault on Leipheimer over the tour’s final two days will...

The nice weather we've been getting will continue through today and Saturday and hopefully Sunday. "We're kinda in between storms," explained Jamie Meier of the National Weather Service. That rain could possibly hit Los Angeles by Sunday, but it's more likely the Oscars will be kept dry and rain will come later. And when it does Meier says that "all areas should at least get what." Expect temperatures in the 70s--as high as 78--today...

An example of a supergraphic | Photo by aharvey2k via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr Even though the city has given the CIM Group over $28 million in financial aid for the past few years for redevelopment projects, they are allowing illegal supergraphics and billboards on their properties in Hollywood. The city agreed last year to let them have three supergraphics--currently there are six. Additionally, the agreement included taking down two billboards that are...

Photo by Tom Andrews/LAist The stepmother of a 7-year-old girl who was shot in her South LA home Tuesday night has been arrested along with two others in connection with the shooting. The girl was home with her grandparents around 7:30 p.m. when bullets from the street flew into the house hitting her in the chest and arm. The back story apparently goes like this, according to police: there was an on-going child custody...

Orchestra members having a good time Last week until yesterday, we ran a contest for the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra's concert this weekend. To enter, you had to tell us your favorite orchestra instrument found in the orchestra, which the cello one with overwhelming support. The clarinet came in second with the triangle at a close third (just kidding... about the triangle part). Anyway, if you didn't win, we're offering readers 25% off tickets...

Usually Goldstar Events sells tickets to big name events for half price, but hey, with the economy sucking, why not give tickets away to this weekend's Hip Hop 101 Music and Arts Festival featuring Ludacris and Common, among others. $45 and Ticketmaster fees of free (well, it is $9 in their ticket fees)? They only have a 100 tickets, so we thought we'd warn ya. The Saturday night event is at the LA Sports...

Speaking of the recent rash of televised, live blogged and publicized car chases, the LA Times looks into the costs to policing agencies and the media that covers it. "When it comes to TV, what troubles me is that it's not breaking news they're reporting with a pursuit, it's more breaking entertainment," said radio traffic reporter Jeff Baugh of KNX-AM (1070) to the Times. "Whenever I cover a pursuit, I'm not so much concerned...

Schwarzenegger takes down the Deficit Clock in front of his office | AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli Finally, the state senate and assembly came to a compromise and passed the much needed budget. "Our work is not over," tweeted Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. "We were in a crisis. But crisis provides opportunity for real reforms for California." The plassed budget has four main aspects, which Scwharzenegger compares to a four-legged stool: spending reductions, revenue increases (aka taxing...