The latest Los Angeles CityBeat features an interview with new Congresswoman Laura Richardson, a young politician who reps South LA, Long Beach, Carson, Compton, and Signal Hill (in September, Richardson took over the vacancy left by the death of Representative Juanita Millender-McDonald). The ambitious Democrat is hard at work trying to fix your commute, saying "the possibilities for federal funding for the subway to the sea are strong... there is also a discussion of connecting the Westside to the Los Angeles Airport... I would also like to see improvements to the 710." Way to hit the ground running. [CityBeat]

With opposition from some Republicans, and an expected veto from President Bush, yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow the Federal Housing Administration to fund new mortgages and help about 500,000 homeowners avoid foreclosure. Via the Los Angeles Times: "Another provision, with particular relevance to California and other states with high home costs, would permanently raise to $729,750 the limit for mortgages that government-sponsored holders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can buy." Supporters note the current housing crisis is dragging down the overall economy; White House calls the legislation "taxpayer-funded bailout for lenders and speculators." [LA Times]

A hole has been left in the LA preservation community with the passing of Robert Nudelman, Director of Preservation Issues for Hollywood Heritage. Both LA Weekly and city council President Eric Garcetti have written touching tributes to a man who was instrumental in saving the Cinerama Dome, preserving the Palladium, and generally being the fly in many developers' ointment. [LA Weekly]

Venice-based architect Jennifer Siegal/Office of Mobile Design may be having a hard time unloading her newest model, but she's got a fan in blogger Yo Venice, who pops down and talks to an anonymous resident who just installed a prefab home by Siegal. The home is just east of Lincoln. Says the resident: "We liked the thought of a house that had to be built to withstand a two hour drive on the highway - from a shaking standpoint, our modules are definitely earthquake tested." [Yo Venice]

Earlier this week, a poll asked what city project was most in need of billionaire benefactor Eli Broad's dollars. Hands down winner: Subway to the Sea. Curbed sent a communique to the Broad Foundation, politely asking if anyone had considered buying the city a subway. After a lack of response, we now have one! A nice spokeswoman writes: "Transportation is indeed an issue in Southern California, and, in fact, there are numerous critical issues facing our city and our country. But the mission of The Broad Foundations is to advance entrepreneurship for the public good in education, science and the arts. [ED: Polar bears, leg muscles atrophying in traffic=Sciencey?] Mr. Broad has chosen to focus his philanthropy on improving K-12 urban education -- what he believes to be the most serious issue facing our country -- as well as on advancing scientific and medical research in the areas of human genomics, stem cell research and inflammatory bowel disease, fostering art appreciation for audiences worldwide, and supporting civic initiatives in Los Angeles." OK, so who do we hit up next? [Curbed InBox]

Among the tinder-box Brentwood hills that surround the Getty Center, you'll find gentle goats munching brush, according to the New York Times. As a way to lessen the chance of wildfires, the museum hired about 60 of the hooved creatures to chew on the flammable twigs and grass that cover their 110-acre campus. And once summer's over, lamb chops for everyone! [NY Times]

Malibu is considering going all out in its fight to reign in out-of-control paparazzi who are annoying celebrities, like Pierce Brosnan, who we learn can't chow down in peace. Similar to Councilman Dennis Zine's proposed "Britney's Law", the Malibu City Council is considering creating safety buffer zones around celebrities. And now they're calling in the big guns to get the law past potential constitutional challenges. "...Ken Starr, dean of the Pepperdine University School of Law and the former Independent Counsel in the Clinton impeachment effort, who is currently representing Blackwater Security on alleged atrocities in Iraq, and Nadine Strossen, the president of the American Civil Liberties Union, have expressed interest in working on this at no charge to the city." [Surfside News]

The winner in this week's poll about what needy city project billionaire benefactor Eli Broad should fund was clearly the "Subway to the Sea." Any response from the Broad Foundation's PR department concerning this momentous--and admittedly fun--poll result? We sent off an email with the results and inquiry about the Broad Foundation chipping in on a subway, but, yeah. No reply. Go get back in your car. [Curbed Staff]

Rooster opponent and Councilwoman for C.D. 15, Janice Hahn, has backed down from her inflammatory anti-cock legislation that would have limited households to one rooster each. The LA Times reports that plans to sic Animal Control personnel on noisy cock-a-doodlers have also fallen through, as the City's budget can't handle the added expense. No word on if you'll still be required to chip that cock. [LA Now]

The San Gabriel Valley Tribune has a story about Pardeep Singh, 30, a Glendale man who did very well for himself via a series of illegal activities, including offering fake rental home deals. For instance, he's accused of placing a Craigslist ad for a Calera Avenue home and signing leases with as many as 33 people, taking $2,400 from each person. He also is accused of selling fake timeshares in Vegas and Tennessee on Ebay under the name mforcex91801. But he also seemed to legitimately sell other items on Ebay, like pricey Creme De La Mer face cream and video games. A sampling of his reviews on Ebay: "A Little Shipping Error, but Overall Great! Very Professional & Friendly! A +++ (Import Mega Drive Sega Genesis Game). "SCAMMER!!! Bought Timeshare and have not received anything!" Singh is currently on the lam. [San Gabriel Valley Tribune]