Around the Blog-LA-Sphere

A few quick shout-outs to three friends of Franklin Avenue:



:: Congrats to Dodger Thoughts blogger Jon Weisman, just named one of L.A.'s most influential people in this month's Los Angeles magazine.

Unfortunately, the story's not online... actually, nothing is, as LA Mag promises a site redesign in "early November."



:: Head over to LA City Nerd and nominate your picks for L.A. personalities of the year.

The Nerd will pick (or open the floor for a vote) winners in several categories based on passion, knowledge, promotion and positive contributions to our fine city.

Here are the categories:

1. 2006 City Nerd Blog (any kind: group, individual, municipal, etc.)

2. 2006 City Nerd Blogger

3. 2006 City Nerd Elected Official

4. 2006 City Nerd Elected Official Staff Member

5. 2006 City Nerd Department Head

6. 2006 City Nerd Neighborhood/Community

7. 2006 City Nerd Project

8. 2006 City Nerd Neighborhood Council

9. 2006 City Nerd Citizen of the Year

And the highest honor, which may not be given out every year:

10. "The LA City Nerd Award"

The Nerd is requesting noms by December 15; I'm still putting my list together. Send 'em to lacitynerd@gmail.com



:: Congrats to the team behind 1947project for scoring a mention in Rolling Stone as the top crime blog.

Writes the 1947 folk:

Making special note of the site's year-long exploration of forgotten 1940s crimes, RS raves: "If you're a fan of Raymond Chandler or 'Chinatown,' this
L.A.-noir site goes deep into the year 1947 and the murder of the Black Dahlia, positing the homicide as one of the most pivotal events in the city's history.

The crime-a-day posts on 1947project, penned by social historians Kim Cooper, Nathan Marsak and Larry Harnisch, explore the forgotten Los Angeles of 1947 and, more recently, 1907. From corrupt mayors to Mexican revolutionaries, monkey house mashers to regular old cads, lady killers and killer ladies, the site specializes in bringing to life the weird characters and circumstances that shaped L.A.

Kim and Nathan spent Thanksgiving Saturday showcasing the seedy side of Pasadena history for one of their monthly bus tours, visiting spots such as the bungalow where RFK assassin Sirhan Sirhan lived with his family and the site of the 1926 Rose Parade grandstand collapse.

Their next tours include Weird West Adams (December 16) and the 60th Anniversary Real Black Dahlia (January 13).