Mel Gibson got smashed and posed for sloppy photos with fans at the PCH hangout Moonshadows before jumping in his car, making a u-turn and speeding off. The deputy was coming by the other way and made his own u-turn to go after Gibson. TMZ has the story, In Touch Weekly the photos. Also, the rabbi at Temple of the Arts has invited Gibson to speak to the congregation on Yom Kippur. And the head of the sheriff's civilian oversight office called the arrest within policy, but said he would not have described it as "without incident."

Aerial spraying for mosquitoes will begin Monday.

Mayor Villaraigosa enjoyed some quality time with Tony Blair on the prime minister's visit, as did leaders from Cardinal Roger Mahony, Eli Broad and Tim Leiweke to Tom LaBonge. Another reference to Dan Glaister's "Hey, Dude" piece made it into the LAT. Also: the Times editorial board shares some of Blair's remarks to them online.

LAT columnist Steve Lopez and Arnold get together at Smooth's Sports Grille in downtown Long Beach. Column ensues.

AFTER THE JUMP: Baca receives an infusion for jails, Hancock Park gets more HPOZ, Daryl Gates returns to the fray, Colman Andrews moves and it's burger day in the LAT food section. Yes yes, much more too.

Sheriff Baca will get $258 million to build new facilities and upgrade to ease overcrowding in the county jail system. Times, Daily News

Councilman Jose Huizar's proposal didn't have the votes to get on the November ballot, but he has until Friday to push it through.

Unanimous vote of the City Council.

The former LAPD chief pens an op-ed in the LAT that smiles at recent tension between Bill Bratton and the city council and agrees with critics of the some-past-drug-use is OK hiring practice.

As reported here last month, Korean-speaking news anchor Cindy Chin of KTV-24 is joining City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo's office as senior communications deputy.

A full-page ad for "South Park" in yesterday's Variety reads "C'mon Jews, show them who really runs Hollywood." It's not about Mel Gibson, though, and was planned before his arrest. The ad promotes the episode that satirizes Scientology.

After Tony Blair's speech downtown yesterday, KCRW's Warren Olney received instant analysis from Francis Elliott, traveling Whitehall Editor for London's Independent on Sunday, on "Which Way, L.A.?" Elliott described the unpopularity of the Bush Administration around the world as "radioactive." Audio

Variety's Brian Lowry columnizes a connection between Hollywood reaction to Mel Gibson and Oliver Stone.

The longtime presence on the Los Angeles food media scene — co-founder of Saveur, he edited Ruth Reichl back at New West magazine — will write about restaurants for Reichl at Gourmet.

The Times' food section recommends the high-end burgers crafted of Kobe beef and sirloin at several spots around the region. The list.

The Times' Christopher Reynolds has details of the Getty-city arrangement that will help finish restoration of the Siqueiros mural at Olvera Street. It's being shown to the media this morning.

A San Francisco anarchist who posted videotape of a clash with San Francisco police refuses to turn over unaired video to authorities.

Patrick Goldstein says Hollywood should be ashamed, the City Council cracks down on speakers and Joel Bellman responds on KPCC.

LA Biz Observed: Haim Saban, Chinese quotas and morning headlines
Native Intelligence: Eric Estrin comes out as a MoveOn Democrat, but wants candidates with "personality, good ideas and backbone."
SoCal Sports Observed: A Trojan tests positive for steroids, and Maddux the best Dodger ever?