Four years ago, Woodie Hamilton, who at the time was working as a community relations liaison between the Westside and Downtown, was looking forward to this new Metro line, which would streamline his work commute. That got him thinking about what a train connecting these three disconnected parts of Los Angeles could mean for the city in a broader sense.

“A Hologram for the King,” based on the Dave Eggers novel and taking place in 2010, stars Tom Hanks as a divorced IT salesman named Alan Clay who travels to Saudi Arabia in hopes of selling the king of Saudi Arabia a three-dimensional holographic teleconference system.

The new Expo Line opening saw celebrations across the city Saturday, with Bergamot Station attracting a host of lively locals, giddy to be able to ride the new train.

The SAM Initiative has announced that L.A. Kitchen, Food Forward, and The Downtown Women’s Center of Los Angeles will be the recipients of this year’s grants totaling $170,000. All three recipients are addressing the community’s most pressing issues of food insecurity and homelessness, according to the initiative.

OpEd: The English language is possibly one of the most rubbery on earth. In the 1960s, spoken English absorbed so many new enhancements that I can write a sentence like “Let’s get high and jam on our axes” and most of you readers will understand that I’m talking about making some pot-inspired guitar music, not pitching a competitive event involving lumberjack skills.

Often people are not aware of what to expect in the process of selling their home. They may not know about preparations that could be made before marketing begins that will enhance the value of their home and the timing of the sale.

Today Senator Ben Allen recognized the dental practice of Dr. Jay Grossman and Associates as Senate District 26’s Small Business of the Year. The award was presented to Dr. Grossman at a luncheon in Sacramento honoring outstanding small businesses from legislative districts across the state.

More than three hours were spent debating the fate of Santa Monica’s Civic Center possible sports field at Council Tuesday night, during a regular Santa Monica City Council Meeting held at City Hall.

This Sunday evening Santa Monica Symphony’s (SMS) seasonal closing concert will feature pianist Robert Thies in Rachmaninov’s 2nd Concerto in C minor, op.18, as part of “Greatest Russian Symphonic Spectaculars.”