Some lovely holiday finds around the LA Observed blogs:

On old Mulholland: Veronique de Turenne ventured into the hills above Malibu in search of The Old Place, a mythical spot where her dad used to peddle lobsters plucked out of the bay. She found a wooden bar, booths like horse stalls and a country crooner who stood "way, way too close." Sounds like she had a good time. Check it out at Here in Malibu.

Paging Broad and Burkle: Mark Lacter looks at tomorrow's news today, reading the tea leaves contained in a New York Times story for Tuesday on the possible Tribune bid (or not) of Eli Broad and Ron Burkle. They are being advised by Frank Biondi. Also at LA Biz Observed: TMZ is coming to television.

Letter to A.J. Smith: David Neiman advises the Chargers general manager to resist temptation and hang on to coach Marty Schottenheimer. Yes, despite the painful playoff loss. SoCal Sports Observed.

River sightings: The novelist in Denise Hamilton is enchanted by George Wolfe's quixotic quest to kayak the length of the Los Angeles River. She encountered him in Atwater, and also discovered on her weekend tour of the river that there may be no better place to feel the history of the pueblo than on the banks of the Porciuncula. Nice post at Native Intelligence.

Pretty ducklings: The first mallards to hatch in 2007 are photographed jetting around Echo Park Lake, but the giant snake of Laguna Castle is still missing. Stop in at Chicken Corner.