There are probably some of you out there who feel like it's important to spend Memorial Day weekend in silent reflection over the sacrifices made in the name of American freedom. And we very much respect that, and send our profound thanks to those who serve our country. We also think that the best way to celebrate freedom, once you've given your thanks, is to go out and have a completely awesome time. Luckily for you, there's a bounty of pool parties, music festivals, BBQ's, yacht parties, rooftop ragers, and more this long weekend, right here in L.A.– check it all out in our 2012 Memorial Day Weekend Party Guide! More»

Last night's solar eclipse did not disappoint its L.A. audience with passing clouds and haze over many L.A. skies during the spectacle that made for ideal viewing conditions of the natural phenomenon. Luckily, I happened to be on a rooftop in Venice at the perfect time when it was happening and it was quite as show from our perspective. Photos hardly do the imagery from last night's "Ring Of Fire" justice, but they're still pretty cool, so here's a collection of what the annual event looked like through the lenses of onlookers in and around the L.A. area. More»

Nobody, anywhere, does Cinco de Mayo like L.A. does. Not in Mexico, where it's really not that big of a deal, nor in New York, where you can't get a good burrito to save your life. No, Cinco de Mayo belongs to us, and while that may seem like something to brag about, it's also a big responsibility. See, we don't automatically get to keep the title of Best Cinco City, and that means we all have to do our part by getting extra crazy on Saturday. Luckily, there's a million places throwing a million parties on Saturday, so whether you're motivated by good food, strong drinks, loud music, or some crazy combination therein, we've got just the fiesta for you in our 2012 Cinco de Mayo Party Guide. More»

Exploring places beyond one's designated comfort zone can be particularly daunting for Angelenos. For some people, it's a chronic case of AWOL (Always West of Lincoln); for others, leaving and entering the valley presents an emotional challenge. These self-imposed geographical limitations preventing us from cruising yonder aren't just based on the distance—they're because we wouldn't know where to go and which places we belonged at even once we got there. More»

Happy Monday, everyone! We hope your Thanksgiving was fulfilling and restful. However, while you were chowing down or arguing with your uncle who thinks Fox News is real, the guys who brought you the brilliant "Whole Foods Parking Lot" music video about the infamous lot of the store's Lincoln Blvd branch were hard at work expanding their rap-based chronicle of all things Venice. Next up for Fog & Smog? The mystical, complex world of Hot Yoga Chicks. Keep reading to see the brand new video they just dropped. More»

We know that it's been hard to think about other neighborhood festivals since the untimely demise of Sunset Junction. You were really looking forward to telling your friends you were going for the Lil Jon set and then "ending up" at Hanson, and besides, you're still waiting on your refund. But just like Sunset Junction itself, your money is not coming back, and so hopefully you've already started getting some closure by attending last weekend's completely successful Abbot Kinney Festival in Venice. More»

Chants heard on the Venice boardwalk this past Sunday included: "Free your boobies, free your mind!," "Nobody likes tan lines!" And my personal favorite, "put the 'tit' back in 'Constitution!'" It was all party of "Go Topless Day," celebrated by a UFO cult. Yes. You read that correctly. MORE>>>

[Photo via] Yesterday, Venice went European-style the for the fourth annual Go Topless Day, an event wherein ladies expose their boobies to fight for their right to bare breasts. The cause may seem as simple as female exhibitionists wanting to flaunt their tatas freely in public—something wholeheartedly supported by men as roughly 60% of the straight man's life is spent trying to get women to take their tops off. More»

There are several reasons why one might expect to see a cadre of armed, bulletproof vest clad police swoop into one's place of business. A sophisticated prostitution ring, for example, or maybe a brutal dogfighting operation. Basically, any illegal, organized activity that exploits and hurts the innocent and poses a risk to the public at large can't be too surprised if a SWAT team kicks down their front door. So when a whole ton of cops swept in on Rawesome Raw & Organic Foods in Venice, it might be appropriate to speculate that they were maybe selling raw heroin. But, well, nope. It was milk. Raw milk. Great job, team! More»

I have friends, respectable people, who raise their children in Venice, and insist that Venice is a great place for anyone to do the same. "It has great schools," they tell me happily, "and everyone is so friendly." I do not doubt either of these points, and I see nothing wrong with raising a child in a progressive, non-traditional environment. But, um, let's hope Parenting Magazine doesn't show up on Go Topless Day on August 21st, when hundreds of women will display one or both of their breasts in honor of a so-called equality movement sponsored by a UFO cult. Honey, tell the kids we're moving tomorrow! More»