Rainy day notes

Jim Newton on how neighborhood council elections are being gamed. LAT op-ed
City Hall website guy Calvin Lee has a lot of clout on Twitter. We mean a lot. Forbes
Members of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association "wish to express their sadness and outrage at the sentences handed out" in Iran to filmmakers Jafar Panahi and Mohammad Rasoulof. LAFCA
The DWP board approved the appointment of Ron Nichols to run the city utility, pending City Council stampage. LAT
The co-chairs of Light Rail for Cheviot Hills say most of their neighbors want the Expo Line to be built. LAT op-ed
Allan Parachini now says he was fired as chief spokesman for the Superior Court because his supervisors learned that his "chronic severe depression" had worsened and doctors were recommending he take a leave of absence. He previously said the firing was over allegations of coziness with TMZ and courthouse reporters. LAT
For Los Angeles, a ‘multiplicity of corridos.’ KPCC
A sneak peek at LACMA's plans for the spring's Tim Burton show. Unframed
Top 10 Los Angeles bans of 2010. Yes, bans. The Informer
The Royal Claytons pub in the Arts District closed over the weekend, but may reopen next year in Downtown's Historic Core. Blogdowntown
A photographic trip to where it all began for Taco Bell. OC Weekly
Restoration of The Boyle Hotel in Boyle Heights to house low-income mariachi players. Eastern Group Publications
Sofia Coppola talks about "Somewhere." Fresh Air
You'll be happy to know that Abbey Dawn, the lifestyle brand of Avril Lavigne, has launched a website.
Comic actor Steve Landesberg died Monday at Cedars-Sinai. LAT, AP
Here's the Daily News obituary on letters editor Mike Tetreault, whose death we reported yesterday.