Taking a look around the site this afternoon...

• Phil Hersh of the Chicago Tribune emerges as the top reporter on the Olympics beat and is all over this weekend's media-free choice between L.A. and Chicago, says David Davis. SoCal Sports Observed
• Sen. Bill Bradley talks to Jacob Soboroff (and his video camera) about election reform in advance of book signings and appearances here this week. Native Intelligence
• Al Roker speaks up about Imus. LA Biz Observed
• Happy 60th to the Apple Pan. Native Intelligence
• Look for the backstory on mini-mogul Henry Winterstern, advises Mark Lacter. LA Biz Observed
• Big turnout against the Cabrillo Port LNG project, which would loom offshore and pump hot seawater into the Pacific. Here in Malibu
• Loitering doves and questions of fashion in Echo Park. Chicken Corner

And also: LA Observed contributor Denise Hamilton was featured in today's LAT Calendar section in her role as editor of Los Angeles Noir, the new short story anthology from Akashic Books. The stories use "overlooked and unlikely locations — the Los Angeles River, Mar Vista, Long Beach's leafy Belmont Shore — while still emphasizing classic themes like obsession, deception and moral darkness," writes Scott Timberg. Hamilton's authors include Janet Fitch, Patt Morrison, Michael Connelly, Susan Straight, Hector Tobar, Neal Pollack and Naomi Hirahara. There's a signing with the authors tonight at Dutton's, Thursday night at the Egyptian Theater (kicking off the 8th Annual Los Angeles Noir Film Festival) and Friday evening at Vroman's.

Photo: Francine Orr/L.A. Times