Around Town Top Stories

Jul 3, 2009 | 134 comments

You make the call on runway fashions from around the world. Decide what's cutting edge and what just fell over the edge...

Jul 3, 2009 | 1 comment

Maybe it was the head-start, or maybe it's just because they can eat eight at a time. Either way, the elephants beat the humans in a tune-up for tomorrow's hot-dog eating contest in Coney Island.

Jul 3, 2009

Splashy fireworks shows, monster trucks, the ringing of a famous bell, red-white-and-blue movies, old-school barbecues. Plus: singing lawyers! And Uncle Sam, too...

Jul 3, 2009 | 1 comment

All things Dillinger are hot these days. Johnny Depp and "Public Enemies" have made the crime sprees of John Dillinger, well, cool.

Jul 3, 2009

Death Cab for Cutie, Tegan and Sara, The New Pornographers, Anime Expo, Laff Festival, Pignic at Animal Acres, Fourth of July picks, fireworks, fireworks, fireworks...

Jul 3, 2009 | 7 comments

Two rail line proposals connecting Los Angeles to Las Vegas are competing for federal funds and it’s anyone’s bet which one will win.

Jul 4, 2009

Plus: Martin + Osa shipping deal (and sweet bandeaus), House of Harlow 1960 necklace, vinyl auction, beach bag fun

Jun 24, 2009

It's Du-par's vs. Bob's Big Boy - Vote now for the best late night diner.

Jul 1, 2009

A range of international flavors and culinary talents round out Food and Wine magazine's annual Best New Chefs list, which recognizes the most creative and trailblazing chefs in the industry. Find out...

Jul 3, 2009

Hello, '80s flick fanatics. The New Beverly is screening "Red Dawn" and is planning on, hoping for, a maybe-probably visit from star Lea Thompson...

Jul 3, 2009 | 1 comment

ConAgra, the company that makes Slim Jim, has not produced the jerky treat since a North Carolina plant exploded, killing three employees. It was the only plant in the country that made the snappy sna...

Jul 3, 2009

A Bay Area company has brought its mondo Zeppelin -- the world's largest -- to Los Angeles for a bit of fireworks fun. A Zeppelin! Holy monocles-and-spats...

Jul 3, 2009

This month marks the annual lycra-fest that is Miami's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week , dedicated solely to swimwear. Given the longstanding attendance of one Ed Hardy, we expected that the other LA-bred talent...

Jul 2, 2009 | 1 comment

American Joey Chestnut goes for another International Hot Dog Eating Contest championship at annual July 4th Coney Island event.

Jul 2, 2009

Unable to hire lifeguards because of budget cuts, the Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation Department restricted swimming at certain public lakes

Jul 2, 2009

Shimmying in the salt air is a SoCal classic. And the "free" part we applaud...

Jul 3, 2009

Reports surface that the rapper is "quietly" starting to pursue a new career in fashion.

Jul 2, 2009 | 1 comment

Victorville grew 3 percent in size and the housing market remained strong despite the bad economy.

Jul 2, 2009

Plus Pasadena's vegan boutique throws a sale for the Fourth, and a bikini worn by Bar Refaeli (well, maybe not the *exact* bikini...)

Jul 2, 2009 | 2 comments

Check out these celebs sighted in and around the streets of Los Angeles.

Jul 2, 2009

A foodie with a sense of style (and humor) is taking fast food dishes and reworking them into gourmet feasts, complete with high-end tableware. No additional ingredients permitted...

Jul 3, 2009

The economy has more people leery about making plans far in advance; travel companies are offering more last-minute deals, and new technologies are fostering bargains that come and go like mayflies.

Jul 2, 2009

The Hollywood Bowl is filling the sky with sparkly lights for three nights in a row starting on Thursday, July 2nd...

Jul 2, 2009 | 1 comment

Call off the search; we've found our favorite picture of the week: the Creature from the Black Lagoon with microphone. The Universal Studios extravaganza just opened. We're there...