How to build one hell-monster of a city

ILLUSTRATION by LUKE MCGARRY
It was a stark and dorky night, and young James C. Hankla was alone (as per usual) in his native Wilmington, the so-called Heart of the Harbor, when a fiendish plan seeped from his feverish brain, a diabolical scheme to transform Long Beach, the well-known [...]

Four new city screens on downtown tree planters are getting a chilly reception from residents

PHOTO by JEFF GOULD
Last month, near the peak of the lackluster 2008 holiday shopping season, city officials tried something quick downtown to give the beleaguered Pine Avenue retail area a little boost. It took them more than two weeks, which by [...]

No, really, it’s true: according to the Los Angeles Times‘ bike columnist Susan Carpenter, West Coast Choppers spiritual guru Jesse James’ newest motorcycle is based on an Airstream trailer.
This should come as no surprise to those of you who’ve seen the master Chopper’s chopped Mercury, or his shoebox Chevy, or any of the many other [...]

You wouldn’t think a career politician like 55th Assembly District hopeful Warren Furutani would see eye-to-eye with a man like custom chopper chief Jesse James.