Friday desk clearing

In addition to today's three Daily News layoffs, LANG has also eliminated the DN Travel section and reassigned the chain's sports editor, Kevin Modesti, to be a metro reporter. Gary Scott
Sam Quinones has a new dispatch from Monterrey on the Times website about the bloody Mexican drug wars, with video. LAT
The City Council passed an ordinance to let it inventory billboards — but, well, you know. We'll wait and see. LAT
Sunset Strip club owner Elmer Valentine died in his sleep and will be remembered at 8 p.m. with dimmed lights. LAist
Unlike my civilized jury duty experience, Eric Pinckert found his "inefficient, sclerotic, dispiriting and dehumanizing." Brand Culture Talk
Blogger Carolyn Kellogg says her personal goodbye online to Forrest Ackerman. Jacket Copy
In time for the holidays, Robert Niles' recommended gifts for online journalists. Online Journalism Review
Tony Blankley moderates a "Politics of Culture" show devoted to "whither conservatism" with Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council, Al Regnery of American Spectator and David Frum, Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. on KCRW.
Ellen Endo, former managing editor of the Rafu Shimpo, is the new executive director of the Asian American Journalists Association. Release
After school, 17-year-old Joey Freeman is helping manage Robert Schwartz's campaign for the 5th District City Council seat. Jewish Journal
Diesel, the new bookstore in the Brentwood Country Mart, holds its grand opening party on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.