On assignment

I'll be out of the loop most of the day. My LAObserved on KCRW segment this afternoon (4:44 p.m. on 89.9 FM or on the web) touches on those water main breaks and Councilman Greig Smith flaunting his flouting of the city's sprinkler rules.

Also: At Native Intelligence, photographer Iris Schneider takes a look inside the newest project of the Skid Row Housing Trust. And visiting blogger Lesley Moon ponders today's release of the movie about Coco Chanel. In the L.A. Times, LA Observed contributor Deanne Stillman reviews the companion book from Ken Burns' new PBS project on the national parks.