The bidding is open for Barry Bonds' record-tying/breaking home run ball. David Davis in SoCal Sports Observed has the details on what else is for sale in the mid-September auction.

At least 130 new beach activists got a seaside tour from the Los Angeles Urban Rangers this month, Jenny Price (no slouch in the activism department herself) reports in a new post on Native Intelligence.

More steep street talk at Chicken Corner, where Jenny Burman gets mail from readers.

Mark Lacter's got the business news, including gas at $2.75 a gallon. Remember when that seemed scandalously high?

A great blue heron checks out Chili Cookoff preparations at Here in Malibu.