Just like last year, L.A., or WeHo, didn't make The Advocate's third annual list of the "Gayest Cities in America." The alternative publication takes an alternative look at the typical census data to make their rankings, by examining "the per capita queerness of some less expected locales."
"How Gay is Long Beach?" And Other Questions Answered in The Advocate's Annual Gayest Cities in America List
How Much Money Do Media Moguls Make?
Deadline has been counting other people's money and put together an exclusive list of media moguls and their startling compensation packages compared to averages of other top executives. Often considered a "red flag" to shareholders when a public company pays one of its top bananas three or more times the average of other big cheeses...
We Know What You Ate Last Summer: Ralphs Database Hacked
Ralphs parent company Kroger released a statement that someone outside of the organization gained "unauthorized access" to a list of shopper names and email addresses on Friday, reports KTLA. Authorities have been alerted, and according to the Ralphs website, no personal data or financial information was revealed.
The 10 Best Burgers in Los Angeles: 2011 Edition
Last year, LAist did it. We took a stand. When other sites were making ‘feel good lists’ that gave everybody gold stars just for entering the race, we stood up and said, ‘No’. HERE are the best burgers in Los Angeles. And now, we’re about to do it again.
Editor's Picks: The 7 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Los Angeles
I've been a vegetarian for around 15 years and will say this about Los Angeles: this is one hell of a veggie friendly city, perhaps the most friendly in the states. Since it's Hug a Vegetarian Day (sweet!), these are my picks, based on the vegetarian-only places I desire the most (actually, six of these are vegan). It's Valley-focused, but this is where some of the best kept secrets can be found. Here's my list, in no specific order:
50 Best College Bars in America: Which One is in L.A.?
For those who are less concerned with international academic rankings comes a list of American universities based on the definitive extra-curricular activity: Drinking. The college bar is an institutional concept, and Complex.com has done their homework and come up with their list of the 50 Best College Bars in America. So did they have any love for SoCal?
10 Reasons Why L.A. is the 'Coolest City on the Planet,' According to GQ Magazine
It's no surprise we at LAist love this city. And we know we're not the only ones. Now you can add GQ magazine to the list of lovers because in their September issue, they will name Los Angeles the "Coolest City on Planet."
Locals Among the '50 Best New Bands of 2010'
There's so much new music out there, it's sometimes hard to pick who to check out. Today UK-based music news magazine NME released it's 50 Best News Bands of 2010 list -- as they describe it, "the 50 bands who've blown our minds over the past few months."
Capitol Hill's Beautiful People List has a lot of Californians
Every year Washington D.C. news source The Hill publishes an annual list of the 50 Most Beautiful People and this year, Californians took the majority of spots, finds Kitty Felde at KPCC. 16 percent of the list -- or eight people (one, seen right, works for a Californian, so she's like a Capitol Hill transplant) -- represent the Golden State on the gawking list, which includes young staffers and the politicians themselves like Democrat Judy Chu, who made the top ten and finds it odd to be on the list. As for the young staffers like 23-year-old Allison Sadoian from Fresno, no dates yet, just lots of Facebook friend requests (come on guys, get some balls!).
L.A. is 8th on PETA's List of Vegetarian & Vegan-Friendly Cities
Just how "friendly" is Los Angeles when it comes to vegetarian and vegan eating?
LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy
This week is a nice mix of old school and new school. Dasariski is up and running again after being bumped in favor or the LA Improv Comedy Festival, David Alan Grier is out on the West Coast again, and doing stand up down in Irvine. Meanwhile, Hot Pants, Cold Feet are doing their great sketch show at the Comedy Central Stage, What's Going On? with Mike Mitchell is at UCB, and everyone is coming together to party for Father's Day on Sunday.
L.A. is One of the Nation's Worst for Jobs, Study Concludes
Forbes is at it again with their top 10 lists. This time Los Angeles ranks at #7 in their "10 Worst Big Cities For Jobs." And our neighbors aren't doing so well, either: Santa Ana-Anaheim-Irvine came in at #6 and Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario at #4. The magazine got sourced a New America Foundation report for the list. "While California's economy has come roaring back many times before, a resurgence this time will be slowed by the state's increasing willingness to aggressively tax and regulate those who will make it happen," the report said. Last week, Forbes said Los Angeles ranked #6 in their "10 U.S. Cities In Free Fall" list. (via LAO)
LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy
Guys, I'm not joking around when I say this may be the best week of comedy we've had so far this year. Carol Burnett and Tim Conway are at Writer's Bloc, the Sarah Silverman cast is at Largo, the writers of Conan O'Brien are all doing stand up, Jon Dore is doing a show, Tang is at iO West, UCB has The Apple Sisters (twice!) and of course Tremendosaur is bringing their amazing sketch comedy out to Comedy Central Stage - for free!
Amoeba Records Tops SPIN's List of Best Record Stores
As noted earlier, it's Record Store Day on Saturday. So SPIN decided to promote the event by naming America's 15 Best Indie Record Stores. And with no surprise Amoeba Records, with locations in Hollywood, San Francisco and Berkeley, got top honors because "it represents a sort of music lovers' heavenly refuge:"
Forbes Names L.A. in #6 in its ' 10 U.S. Cities In Free Fall' List
Based on some statistics, Forbes this week released its list of cities in free fall. The magazine is not citing the city's current budget crisis, rather more regional problems. According to Forbes, the Los Angeles-Long Beach area has experienced...
Scorecard: The List of Oscar Winners
With six Oscars, "The Hurt Locker" won the most, and deservedly so. "Avatar" came in with three (not an upset, y'all), followed up by "Crazy Heart" and "Precious" tying for two. Here's the complete list of winners:
Best Picture: “The Hurt Locker” Kathryn Bigelow, Mark Boal, Nicolas Chartier and Greg Shapiro, Producers
Actor in a Leading Role: Jeff Bridges in “Crazy Heart”
Actor in a Supporting Role: Christoph Waltz in...
LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy
There are a few benefit shows this week that seem like must-sees, from Breast Cancer Be Trippin' to Laugh Night to benefit Art Share LA. Both have fantastic line ups that are worthy of the crowds they're sure to bring. Probably the best show of the week, though, is CraigsLOST and the Apple Sisters at UCB. On any night, either one of these shows is worth a mention, but together they're a powerhouse of comedy that cannot be stopped. For serious.
LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy
Well hello there, and welcome back to the world of the working. One would say 'living', but are you really living these days? Debatable. You've been looking for the next calendar holiday that your office actually observes, haven't you? Well unless you decide to call one in for MLK day, things are looking pretty bleak when it comes to time off.
7 Restaurants Where Vegetarians & Meat Eaters Can Both Be Happy
Food blogger Lauren Harb over at the Huffington Post today lists out seven Los Angeles restaurants where vegetarians, even vegans, and meat eaters can all find satisfaction. Her list is spot on. From chains like Z Pizza (the vegan cheese) and The Counter (the vegan burger patties) to original sit downs like mainstay Real Food Daily and Gordon Ramsay-featured Sante La Brea, the choices are well rounded.
Coachella Line-Up Starts to Fill Out
While the official list won't be out 'til sometime in early 2010, Coachella fanatics have been gathering what intel they can for awhile about who is playing and who is just a rumor.
Does Dating Suck in L.A.? Your Responses to 7 Reasons Why
Our mention of Dr. Alex Benzer's list of 7 reasons while dating is tough in Los Angeles definitely struck a chord with readers. Mostly, people agreed with him. "Oh wow... that is true... dang..." twittered Austin Szu.
"The same difficulties apply to spontaneous fun and making plans," noted an astute Mary Rice Schuyler, who we hope has no problems finding dates with quite possibly the sexiest Twitter profile photo out there.
L.A.'s 10 Most Popular Searches, According to Google
Google recently came out with its year-end Zeitgeist, featuring the "most popular for 2009"--globally, it was Michael Jackson--including "popular searches unique to specific U.S. cities." Here's how Los Angeles fared:
LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy
This week there's some really great free shows going down at 8p at the Comedy Central stage, so you've really got no excuse to not get out there. Around town, you can also shake off the candy withdrawals and expensive bar tab by keeping it cheap at the usual haunts: UCB, iO West, Westside Comedy. If you've got a little more coin in your pocket, there's a couple of great shows going down at Largo - particularly The League fellas on Wednesday. If you think I missed something or want to let me know about something you're going to see, email Farley here. Happy November everyone.
LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy
So, Cinematic Titanic comes to Largo, and I can't believe you're reading this. You should be standing in line, peeing your pants because the ORIGINAL CAST of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 (MST3K) is making fun of some of the worst movies of all time. Pencil me in for Tuesday's show. In other news, some big names with recent Comedy Central stand up specials under their belts (Jo Koy, Greg Giraldo) are offering their comedic services in the greater Los Angeles area, while right here in town Rooftop Standup offers the best backdrop in all of comedy and Lenny Bruce lovers have a chance to give to a good cause AND walk away with some of his stuff. Amazing.
LAst Laugh: This Week in Comedy
Stand up abounds this week in the comedy world, but there's also some great opportunities to check back in with the improv roots you know you have. Beer Shark Mice are only around for one more show (that we know of), TNT and Crashbar are doing their usual great stuff.
Good News Friday: State Parks Will Not Close!
A surprise announcement from state officials came this afternoon in the form of no state park closures. Wow. A big improvement from the original proposal to close 80 percent of parks last Spring, which eventually was weeded down to 100 park closures in the summer. As state park officials worked on a closure list, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger stepped in with renewed interest this week, offering assistance in the form of experts from the Department of Finance.
Schwarzenegger Takes a Renewed Interest in Saving State Parks
Good news comes today as Governor Arnold Schwarzegger's office announced that that plans to close state parks have changed. Fewer parks will close and plans to release a list of those parks has been dropped.
Although the Governor's office is downplaying the shift in direction, the Mercury News juxtaposes it with this point:
Leaked Memo Says if Parks Close, it's Open Season for Lawsuits
Not only was the federal government concerned about the pending closure of state parks earlier this summer, but a memo obtained by the Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility says there are a handful of more problems if closures happen. A list of those closures is is expected to be released sometime next week. The memo from state attorneys says the potential problems could cost the state money, including lawsuits from private companies involved in contracts with state parks and lawsuits from parkgoers trespassing into closed parks who get hurt, according to the Mercury News. Additionally, a Americans with Disabilities Act settlement from 1999 may be broken if parks close, prompting yet another lawsuit from disability groups. And lastly, closing state beaches may be in violation of the California Coastal Act.
List of Park Closures Won't be Released this Week, Says Schwarzenegger Spokesperson
A spokesman for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said today that the list of parks slated for closure will not be released this week as officials continue to work to save more money, therefore keeping more open, according to John Myers of KQED.
No Announcement Yet for List of State Parks Closures
California State Park officials last week said the list of parks to close could be announced sometime this week. "Possibly by the end of the week, but nothing is for sure," said Sheryl Watson, a state parks spokesperson, over the phone today. Word on the street among parks activists concur, but some speculate next week will hold D-Day. And with state offices furloughed this Friday, it's anybody's guess.

