L.A. Times - Most E-mailed Stories

New L.A. Marathon route unveiled

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The new 'Stadium to Sea' course, taking in several city landmarks, is designed to be more inspiring for runners. Its generally downhill direction could also make for faster times.

When Dodgers owner Frank McCourt bought the Los Angeles Marathon last year, he gave management a new goal: Create a route that shows off the best of Los Angeles. That new "Stadium to Sea" route will be unveiled today, and it will start -- where else? -- at Dodger Stadium.

Democratic consultant says he got a warning from White House after appearing on Fox News

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

'We better not see you on again,' the strategist says he was told by a White House official. The White House communications director denies that officials urge such a boycott.

At least one Democratic political strategist has gotten a blunt warning from the White House to never appear on Fox News Channel, an outlet that presidential aides have depicted as not so much a news-gathering operation as a political opponent bent on damaging the Obama administration.

CalPERS' image takes a hit

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Shrinking assets and the taint of ties to so-called placement agents threaten to erode the California Public Employees' Retirement System's reputation as a leader among public pension funds.

For much of the last decade the California Public Employees' Retirement System cultivated the image of a cutting-edge pension fund -- pouring billions of dollars into potentially lucrative but high-risk investments, hounding companies to rein in executive pay and championing financial security for government workers.

A princely link to fame

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Few dispute that surfing was introduced to California by Hawaiian royalty. Now there's evidence that their boards were homegrown.

At a reception in the mountains above Santa Cruz, dozens of surfers of a certain age, balancing wine glasses and pizza slices, basked in their closeness to a little piece of their sport's history.

Runaway Toyota cases ignored

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Safety investigators dismissed numerous reports of sudden acceleration, then said data were lacking.

More than 1,000 Toyota and Lexus owners have reported since 2001 that their vehicles suddenly accelerated on their own, in many cases slamming into trees, parked cars and brick walls, among other obstacles, a Times review of federal records has found.

It's time fruit juice loses its wholesome image, some experts say

Sun, 8 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Compared with soda, juice carries more calories and as much sugar. There's also evidence that high consumption increases the risk of obesity, especially among kids.

To many people, it's a health food. To others, it's simply soda in disguise.

Texas is the new retirement mecca

Sat, 7 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The Lone Star State's attractions include its low cost of living and no income tax.

After trying out Pasadena, Atlanta and Miami, Lilian Junco decided this was the place to retire. Being near her son was the first attraction, but soon she was drawn in by the same combination of features that has lured tens of thousands of others from out of state: Gulf Coast living and super-low costs.

Vegetarian kids

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

Parents of non-meat-eating children need to make sure the youngsters eat a balanced diet. Studies show that, properly done, such eating is fine, and can provide benefits.

Toddlers who refuse to eat furry animals; teenagers who suddenly hate everything their parents cook; children of vegetarian parents. Whether it's your choice or theirs, raising a vegetarian kid can be a challenge.

Best Buy prepares for a shift to downloads

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The retailer is aggressively positioning itself to sell Internet-connected televisions, Blu-ray disc players, computers and phones as sales of CDs and DVDs fall.

Walking between rows of DVDs at the Best Buy store in West Hollywood, Brandy Moore admits that she doesn't always buy the shiny discs anymore since she started downloading movies and TV shows from Apple's iTunes Store. There's just one problem: She hasn't figured out how to watch them on her TV.

EARLY BIRD: Mozza2Go

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -0800

The takeout offshoot of Pizzeria Mozza is the simply the best of its class.

The other day, I had houseguests who'd just driven down from San Francisco in one straight shot, and I knew they weren't going to be in the mood to drive anywhere too far for dinner.