Richard Riordan, who was Los Angeles' Republican Mayor from 1993–2001, has endorsed Barack Obama over John McCain in the presidential race. “When I was mayor I had dealings with McCain where I didn’t respect him,” he said to CBS per California Faultline. “I think [Obama is] a much more open person. He’s young, he has more energy, more electricity.” Obama was in Beverly Hills last night for a fundraiser.......

We interviewed Mike Davidson, CEO of Newsvine, at the EconSM conference at the Beverly Hilton today. We discussed everything from how anyone can make a cit-journalism hit on Newsvine (and take 90% of the revenues), to the details of the 13-month-old Web site's re-launch this week to Davidson's longing for the now-shuttered Mort's Deli in Pacific Palisades, where he grew up. This interview is not rudely cut-off, despite the distraction of the pool area below.......

Just as Pasadena was arguing its environmental impact report for a renovated Rose Bowl, Anaheim's football stadium proposal suddenly got contentious. LAist thinks the Rose Bowl renovation plan is a good one for the city of Pasadena. It's important to remember Pasadena is not debating building a football stadium. The Rose Bowl is there and not going anywhere. The question is how to ensure the economic viability of a facility that loses $2 million......

Before we get into what happened around here last week, we want to welcome Chris and Miwa, our two newest contributors. Chris watches lots of different things and has his own site. Miwa has the most interesting posts about our local environment. This week was all about the animals. Live by the beach? How about the west side? Maybe South of the 10? Maybe you'd like to write for this site. Let us know. Now,......

An anonymous source queued up at LAX Terminal One witnessed a little political theater Thursday. Ex-mayor Richard Riordan ducked around a barricade through a staff entrance in an attempt to cut ahead of 500 people who were patiently waiting at a security checkpoint. Presumably, Riordan thought that airport employees would recognize him. They didn't. He was chewed out by Southwest security and sent outside to the back of the line. People end-running up escalators......

Our pals at DCist have posted the "Election Imbibing" Drinking game. LAist would like to localize a few rules on their list: Take 1 drink every time: you hear Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger indian casinos "I'm out here in the Valley" hospitals "we'll have cool night skys this Election night" surplus state property Take 3 Drinks When/If: Someone mentions Paris Hilton Stephanie Powers Richard Riordan......

Richard Riordan, showing all the kindness and compassion that Angelinos remember in our former mayor, has apologized for a rather tasteless joke he made last Thursday. A young girl visiting with State Education Secretary Riordan during an appearance in Santa Barbara asked our former leader if he knew that her name meant "Egyptian goddess." Riordan misunderstood the question and, thinking that she had asked him what her name meant, replied that it meant "stupid,......