Special Guest Contributors

FRIENDS OF BALLONA WETLANDS Selects Co-Executive Directors Friends of Ballona Wetlands, the pre-eminent wetlands preservation and restoration group in Los Angeles, announced today that it has chosen environmental activist-educators Richard Beban of Playa del Rey and Lisa Fimiani of Culver City to head day-to-day operations as co-executive directors. Read More CORONADO BRIDGE TURNS 40 A San Diego landmark celebrated its 40th birthday Saturday. The Coronado Bridge opened to traffic in 1969 and now more than 75,000 drivers pass over the bridge each day. Read More ECO-FRIENDLY 'STONE' COUNTERTOPS When it comes to countertops, most people go with natural stone for the kitchen and bath. But Cosentino is determined to buck the trend with a revolutionary new product. Read More USC FOOTBALL UNDER FIRE USC football Coach Pete Carroll employed a former NFL tactician last season to help with the team's punting and kicking game, possibly violating NCAA rules barring consultants from coaching. Read More L.A. MARATHON GETS NEW NAME Organizers of the Los Angeles Marathon have announced a new name and a new route for the popular event. Next year's 25th annual race will be called the Stadium to the Sea marathon. Read More BICKNELL AVENUE, SANTA MONICA Becomes a “Green Street” On rainy days, water enters the storm drains of Santa Monica and runs out to the ocean, taking with it the debris that settles in the drains. Storm water runoff has been a critical issue in the attempt to improve the quality of water in Santa Monica Bay. Read More ANGEL'S FLIGHT IS OPENING SOON! (Uh, yeah, right) Ever since the deadly Feb. 1, 2001, accident that shut down the funicular connecting Bunker Hill and the Historic Core, Downtowners have been awaiting the reopening of Angels Flight. Though repairs have progressed and the cars are back on the tracks, multiple promises by Angels Flight Railway Foundation President John Welborne and board chair Dennis Luna that operations would resume soon did not come to fruition. Herewith, some of the reports: Read More TIPS FOR BRINGING HOME 'THE RIGHT' SHELTER DOG Shelters across the country are home to many wonderful dogs that are just waiting for someone to adopt and love them. A few tips from the experts can make it easier to find the right dog for your home. Read More CHINESE WHISPERS: CALIFORNIA APOLOGIZES On July 17, the California legislature quietly approved a landmark bill to apologize to the state's Chinese-American community for racist laws enacted as far back as the mid–19th century Gold Rush, which attracted about 25,000 Chinese from 1849 to 1852. Read More FREE 'GREEN' ENERGY TO ANGELENOS With all of the attention turned to going green both state and federal governments have issued several rebate programs to help realize the goal of green energy. Read More