Who knew it's illegal to play ball on L.A. streets?: The Los Angeles Municipal Code forbids playing "ball or any game of sport with a ball or football or throw, cast, shoot or discharge any stone, pellet, bullet, arrow or any other missile, in, over, across, along or upon any street or sidewalk or in any public park, except on those portions of said park set apart for such purpose." That means Nate Brogin's basketball hoop on Matilija Avenue in Sherman Oaks is illegal, but he isn't budging.

Who knew that some of our air pollution is Chinese?: According to one estimate, up to a quarter of the particulates in the Southern California skies blow over from China.

Who knew people lined up 200 deep for air conditioners at Home Depot?: Meghan Daum checked out the queue.

Who knew you could ask Tony Blair a question?: The British Prime Minister will sit down for a Q-and-A with Times editors during his downtown traffic-snarling visit next week, and as part of its new we're-one-of-you strategy the editorial board is taking questions from readers.

Who knew the fire department had a talk radio show?: Actually it's Blog Talk Radio, a fledgling tech toy. The Los Angeles Fire Department's blogging communications staff debuts Sunday at 10 am.

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Photos: Daily News, Times