The big news in the art market over the past few weeks has been that a Van Gogh went unsold at a Sotheby's auction in New York. In an illuminating parallel, a pair of leather boots went unsold at a little shoe store in Long Beach last week. Read more...

Language barriers, unfamiliar traditions and social stereotypes can make describing a culture through words alone difficult. To understand a culture, it can be much easier just to see it. Read more...

It was the late '70s, or the early '80s "“ hip hop was taking off and rock was growing out its hair. Read more...

This past Thanksgiving weekend, there were as many new releases to choose from as there were side dishes to go with that turkey (or tofurkey). Read more...

With wait times of more than 45 minutes at Sprinkles and other cupcake stores around Westwood, Big Sugar Bakeshop, located in the Valley on Ventura Boulevard, is a refreshingly less crowded spot to satisfy sugar cravings. Read more...

In a matter of weeks, TV viewers will tune in to prime-time hits such as "Desperate Housewives" and "Scrubs" only to find a dreary rerun. With production halting all around town because of the Writers Guild of America strike, the nation will soon need a new reason to turn on the tube. Enter "October Road." Read more...

I've always been confused about Madonna's attempts to be relevant in this decade. Read more...