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Police are looking for whomever fired shots at a shuttle that was carrying tourists from downtown to the Queen Mary in Long Beach last night. The shooting happened not far from the Queen Mary just after midnight last night. more › See original here: Shots Fired at a Shuttle Carrying Tourists Bound for the Queen Mary
Get out to enjoy a hotel party, part-time punks or Raiders of the Lost Ark. more › Read the original post: Get Out: California Hotel, Part-Time Punks, Raiders of the Lost Ark
In tonight’s Extra, Extra, two of the three stolen Buena Park puppies are recovered, scandal continues to surround Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore’s recent split and Seal Beach residents watch as unidentified crazies behead a pigeon and coat themselves in its blood. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook , and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports . more › See the article here: Extra, Extra: Stolen Puppies Retrieved, Pigeon Slaughter Plus Ashton & Demi’s Open Marriage
Californians are one step closer to voting on a ballot initiative requiring labeling of genetically engineered foods. Last week, the coalition It’s Our Right To Know filed a ballot initiative with the California Attorney General’s office. Volunteers must collect at least 850,000 signatures by April 2012 in order to place the initiative on the November 2012 state ballot. more › Read more from the original source: Label GMOs Initiative Filed, Will You Sign?
Bright, charming, charismatic, and out of the closet — what better characteristics for a gay role model? While Neil Patrick Harris might possess all of those qualities, he recently revealed that he isn’t exactly comfortable with being positioned as someone others look to for leadership. At the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s 40th anniversary gala last week, where he and husband David Burtka were honored, he told E!’s Marc Malkin, “I sort of go out of my way not to be Soap Box Johnny.” Harris noted, “We’re super happy to lead by example, but even to define ourselves in any kind of leadership position I think is awkward… I cringe when I hear people say they consider themselves role models.” Burtka feels similarily. “We really don’t do anything,” he said. “We take care of our kids. We’re in a relationship. We love each other, but we don’t go out of the way to stand on a soapbox.” This isn’t the first time that Harris has spoken out about his reluctancy to be labeled a role model. When asked about being an advocate for the LGBT community during a 2008 Out magazine interview he responded: “My job is jester — not advocate… I’m striving to be an example of normalcy. Because I’m noticed as an actor, people are aware of what’s happening in my life, and that I can’t change, and if I tried to, it’d be an uphill battle. I’d be angry and bitter.” Excerpt from: The Term ‘Role Model’ Makes Neil Patrick Harris ‘Cringe’
The City Council on Tuesday unanimously enacted view restoration rules that regulate foliage height in the Trousdale Estates . “The ordinance allows a resident … who believes that his or her view is being blocked by privately owned foliage on a neighbor’s property to send a certified letter to the neighbor … asking that they trim the vegetation,” according to a statement released by the city. If view and foliage owners cannot agree on a resolution, the view owner would offer mediation to the foliage owner via a neutral party to reach an agreement, the statement explains. If no agreement results after the mediation, the view owner may apply for a Planning Commission hearing and decision, which can be appealed to the city council. If the council denies a view owner’s appeal, he or she may initiate private legal action. Tuesday’s update, which reflected staff revisions to the proposed ordinance inspired by residents’ views expressed at the Nov. 3 council meeting, established the following: There is a 15-foot maximum height limit for foliage measured according to a property’s grade in relation to the height of a home’s roof. If a foliage owner denies access to his or her property in order to prevent a view restoration survey, “the survey shall be prepared using other available information,” according to a presentation by Senior Planner Michele McGrath. Regarding enforcement, “the city shall take such action as appropriate to ensure initial compliance with the view restoration permit,” City Attorney Larry Wiener said after council members requested a language adjustment. If the city determines a resident is in compliance with the ordinance, “any further dispute … shall be resolved by a civil action initiated by the view owner,” according to McGrath’s presentation. “The prevailing party in any such civil action … shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney fees and costs incurred in the litigation.” Planning staff will report back to the council within 12 months on the ordinance’s impact. Additional guidelines for the ordinance are in the works and will be discussed at the Dec. 19 Planning Commission meeting, according to the statement. The fully developed set of rules will be posted on the city’s website in January. Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook . The rest is here: Council OKs Trousdale View Restoration Rules
The proposed pilot program to put an off-leash dog beach in Santa Monica has been buried like Fido’s favorite bone, after state officials made it clear this week they will not approve the plan. more › See the rest here: Sorry Santa Monica, No Dog Beach For You
PaleyFest announces 2012 dates. — AMA is this Sunday and we have the Red Carpet embed hosted here. — Sarah Silverman and Jeff Goldblum deserve Emmy nods for their appearances on “The League” last night. — Check out the TV Junkie Must-Watch Plan. more › Read more: TV Junkie: PaleyFest Announces Dates; Get Your AMA Red Carpet Here
A Beverly Hills Police Department DUI checkpoint at Sunset Boulevard and North Alta Drive scheduled for 6-10 p.m. Friday has been postponed due to a chance of rain in the weather forecast. “It is cost prohibitive to set up and pull down a DUI checkpoint in the rain,” Lt. Mark Rosen said. “It is also a danger to those operating it.” The date and location of the next BHPD DUI checkpoint is yet to be determined. “We look at where we’re having the most arrests and accidents because of DUIs,” Sgt. Mike Foxen said when asked how checkpoint locations are planned. When operating a DUI checkpoint, officers cone off a lane of traffic and typically stop three cars at a time at 15-car intervals, Foxen said. “We make sure there is no drinking and driving, and check driver’s licenses,” he said. The number of cars stopped may vary based on how busy the roads are. “We don’t want to hold up traffic,” Foxen said. Be sure to follow Beverly Hills Patch on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook . View post: Friday’s DUI Checkpoint Canceled
