As we were watching The Today Show this morning, trying to wake up, Matt Lauer came on live with a bit of an eye opener: Sen. John McCain, the Republican presumptive nominee for POTUSA, took a little bit of wind out of Democrats' sails this morning with the announcement that Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has been picked as his running mate. Now we don't know a lot about the Alaska governor, but we do know that (a) she is 44 years old and a mother of five (b) conservative and (c) a former Miss Alaska runner up. More updates as they come. But what do you think? Shocking? Pandering for women's votes? Smart choice?

* 8 am: We've tried to access McCain's website, but it's a little busy right now.

The permit for the festival's street closure signed on August 20, 2008 | Photo by Zach Behrens/LAist

As with years past, the Sunset Junction Street Festival has been somewhat of a contentious point between the community and well, let's face it, the small part of the community that puts this event on.

Past issues have revolved around basics like parking, traffic and noise, but the more heated debates have been over the entrance fee. Is it a donation? Is it free? Are you forced to pay the $20 to get in?

In 2006 and before, all the Sunset Junction Festivals that had an entrance fee were by donation (although, many claim they were forced to pay even after asking about the donation). Then the festival organizers wanted the fee to be mandatory and the city said that was fine, but they would no longer waive fees like police overtime, street closures, etc. That's when last year's festival became a new beast in regards to the mandatory entrance admission.

Still, the above document signed by festival organizer Michael McKinley on August 20th of this year, states that "admission to an event may not be charged; and the public at large may not be denied access to any portion of any street except in cases of an emergency."
At the festival when presented with this information, a supervisor from the Sunset Junction Neighborhood Alliance said they were not honoring the petition and one of the nonprofit's board member said that McKinley didn't read what he was signing (he was busy and hurried) and that the city gave them an older form to sign without the current language.

According to Mitch O'Farrell of Councilman President Eric Garcetti's office, this document is signed for every festival in the city that takes place on a street and that it is the current form and language. However, he said while that form in theory should have allowed patrons to be let into the festival for free if they asked, that "it's time to get clarity [from the City Attorney's Office if this is consistent with law]... we'll be doing that right away."

Photo by mackz via Flickr

There's a pretty scary and disappointing, but very thoroughly reported story posted today on LA Weekly by Randall Roberts. If all is true and the alleged video survives to make it to YouTube, the internet is going to go nuts on Hollywood Bowl's contract security firm, CSC.

In short, Sean Carlson and Phil Hoelting, promoters of this weekend's annual F Yeah Fest, were at passing out flyers after the Radiohead show on Monday. Michael Reich of Videothing.com was filming them for a documentary. As this was happening, four CSC security officers were roughly ejecting a patron while Reich caught this on film before one officer approached asking "what the fuck" did he think he was filming before grabbing the camera. A little scuffle occurred and Carlson was pushed to the ground. That situation ended and when they were walking away they heard "that shit's going to be on YouTube. We gotta get that tape."

And so a chase ensued onto Highland Ave., with LAPD reportedly witnessing the tackles and all, but staying out of it, leaving it to Hollywood Bowl security. In an e-mail to LAist, publicist Lisa Bellamore said “we recognize these allegations as very serious, and are cooperating with all involved parties during this investigation.”

John McCain's web people were a little busy this morning prepping the "Ticket for America." (Is it just us or does the photo have SNL skit written all over it?)

Just for fun...let's play caption the photo.

Yup, one week after the big police bust, they're back (first three photos).

And did anyone notice the myriad of hot dog vendors outside the Sunset Junction Festival next to the large numbers of LAPD officers? (last three photos)

After Monday night's Radiohead concert at the Hollywood Bowl, Sean Carlson and a friend were passing out flyers for this weekend's F Yeah Fest while their friend Michael Reich of Videothing.com was filming them for a documentary. An incident with the venue's contract security firm and another patron happened to occur in front of them and security didn't like that it was being filmed ("'What the fuck do you think you're filming?' and grabbed at the camera," said an eyewitness of a security guard from the company CSC).

Story told short (like we did yesterday), after Sean was pushed to the ground by a security guard, they decided to get out of there. But before they could get too far, a foot chase ensued because the security guards allegedly said "that shit's going to be on YouTube. We gotta get that tape."

Needless to say, after running through the streets, over and around car hoods, the boys got a bit roughed up, as told thoroughly in LA Weekly. In the end, Reich says security got the tape and hasn't seen it since.

Above are some photos of Sean's injuries. It could have been worse, but still, who deserves this after one of the best bands in the world?

On September 23, 1940, the Hollywood Palladium opened its doors for the first time with the then not-so-well-known Frank Sinatra singing with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra.

Then in the 60s, the venue became a television studio, also becoming the location for the Emmy, Grammy, NAACP and Country Music Award shows. But then again, the venue returned to its roots.

In 2007, the lease was given to Live Nation who say that over the past year they have been working on a "top-to-bottom renovation, bringing the iconic music venue back to its original grandeur."

"The venue is receiving a total renovation of all interior and exterior areas including a new dance floor, a new façade that emulates the building’s original architecture, expanded concessions, upgraded restrooms, improved interior lighting, as well as brand new paint and carpeting, all of which are congruent with the venue’s original look," Live Nation said in a statement. In addition to sound improvements, the stage has also been upgraded to hold large and more modern acts

JAY-Z, with a 12-piece band backing him, will perform at the grand re-opening on October 15.

Photo by Omar Omar via Flickr

All Coast Metro Patrol was the hired for Sunset Junction Street Festival security

As the postal worker delivered mail yesterday to businesses along Sunset Blvd., he apologized to Joe Keeper of Bar Keeper for not delivering mail on Saturday. He said that Sunset Junction Street Festival security and staff would not let him inside the festival, even with his USPS issued ID and uniform, to deliver mail to the businesses, according to Keeper.

Yesterday, LAist posted a document signed by the festival organizer stating that admission could not be charged to a public street. But during the festival, staff said they were not honoring the document.

Larry Dozier, a spokesperson for the USPS told LAist that there have certainly been situations where mail can't be delivered, but alternative methods are usually made available. Offhand, he was not aware of this weekend's situation but said he would be able to comment on it soon.

Yes, he is. Yesterday, the Los Angeles Fire Department received a call that someone was in the riverbed at Laurel Canyon Blvd. and Valleyheart Dr; (just north of Ventura) in Studio City. An LAist reader sent in these photos saying he was either pushed or that he jumped and that it didn't look like he made it.

According to d"Lisa Davies of the LAFD, it appeared that the 45-year-old jumped and was conscious when they arrived and transported him to the hospital. She said that anytime it appears someone may have fallen more than six-feet, they presume neck truama and automatically c-spine the patient. When someone is c-spined, the patient cannot move to prevent them or the paramedics from hurting him even more. Police were called after to follow up on the case.

Oh, Duchovny. Yale-educated, deadpan funny, strangely-hot Duchovny. You have checked into sex addict rehab, and it is a shame, a crying shame.

We feel bad for your wife, the hot-and-smart actress Tea Leoni. We feel bad for your kids, because nobody wants to think about a parent having sex with anybody.

But mostly, we feel bad for ourselves. David. David. You have a sex addiction? You must have sex with many women? Don't lock yourself up -- we can help. We're at your service. We'll be orderly, form a line, wait our turn. We are pretty sure there is a near-endless supply of enablers who'd be happy to take a turn at some no-obligation Fox(y) Mulder love.

The only people we don't feel bad for are the execs at Showtime, who've got you starring in Californication; the show seems to dovetail nicely with your fall from grace.

There are few places in Los Angeles where you can feel the history, where if you squint hard enough, you could easily be in the 1930s, and yet that have a key place in Los Angeles' future. That place is Union Station, one of the most beautiful buildings in our city. Most of it is open to the public and it's central to anyone who wants to take a train, bus or subway (which makes it instrumental, as Los Angeles looks toward a future of public transportation). It has Traxx, a fine dining restaurant and it's bar, as well as a cafe. You can't take a bad picture there. It's truly a fantastic treasure.

Los Angeles' Union Station is widely considered to be the last of the great train stations built in this country. Designed by John B. and Donald D. Parkinson, the station was opened in 1939, with a dedication ceremony featuring both the mayor of Los Angeles and the governor of California, amidst three days of pageants, parades and other celebrations.

Built on what was once part of Chinatown, its grand combination architecture highlights the futuristic, transportation-inspired art deco contemporary (at the time) and Spanish revival, celebrating California's rich past. Fitting, as it's located right next to Olivera Street, where Los Angeles was founded.

Inside, it feels like a church. the original seating in the waiting area remains (though one presumes it's been reupholstered by now). It's decked out in the bright, beachy colors endemic to Southern California. The walls are lined with cork, preventing echoes so common in large structures.

Now, the off limits areas are owned by a location company, not a surprising idea since it's been featured in films, tv and commercials since its dedication. The first train that ran out of the station was part of a promotion by Paramount Studios for their film, Union Pacific. Other notable films include, Blade Runner, The Way We Were and Guilty by Suspicion.

In its heyday, Union Station was a dynamic location most people passed through on their way to and from LA. Celebrities were often photographed as they arrived and departed for news clips. After LAX was built, and most people began to fly, the station fell into decline. Now invigorated by becoming part of the metro lines, so once again, it's a hub of transportation for most of Los Angeles.

Go to Union Station. Eat some yummy food. Feel yourself walking the knife's edge of Los Angeles' gorgeous past and its shining future.

Union Station, 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Unless otherwise credited, photos by Jacy for LAist.

Monday night the Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles celebrated the launch of their 30th anniversary season. As they put it, "thirty is the new twenty!"

According to the website, the much-lauded GMC has toured both nationally and internationally, released thirteen compact discs, and appeared frequently on national television. In addition, "the Chorus membership donates over 60,000 volunteer hours annually to make GMCLA's mission of musical excellence and community partnership a reality." The GMC was was proud to announce Monday that twelve of its original singers still remain from their quiet beginnings in Plummer Park.

On a July night in 1979, a small group of men opened the doors to a room at the Plummer Park Community Center in Los Angeles (now West Hollywood) and waited and wondered if anybody would show up. To their great surprise, 99 men appeared and a chorus was born. Since then, GMCLA has more than doubled in size to 226 singers

The delicious and self-effacing Joely Fisher ("Margaret Cho said no," she joked, referring to her hostess duties) clad in a curve-hugging goddess gown ("I got this coat from Nancy Sinatra's closet -no, seriously, I did!") hosted an evening of celebration and song at Disney Hall Monday night as the GMCLA celebrated the launch of their 30th anniversary season. With a choral repertoire of jazz, pop, classical, Broadway, and gospel, the chorus was joined by guest speakers and singers such as Reverend Della Reese, George Takei, Christine Chavez, Donzaleigh Abernathy, Del Shores, Billy Porter, Erin Hamilton, and Levi Kreis. The pitch-perfect acoustics of Disney Hall provided the ultimate setting for a choral concert, and a good time was had by all!

Special thanks to Harlan Böll and the Gay Men's Chorus LA. Thanks to Brook Burson for photo.