Grab Bag Studio is the newest studio/gallery space in Long Beach. A couple of weekends ago they opened the show &#8220;Homegirls&#8221;, featuring the work of photographer Valerie J. Bower (L.A. TACO feature). Valerie was holding down the space inviting people over to hang out and see the work from her show and pick up a…

Recap: Homegirls ~ Valerie J. Bower

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<div>Ivan Ehlers is an Ecuadorian-American cartoonist and writer. He is a regular contributor to The New Yorker, MAD Magazine and the Los Angeles Times.</div>
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<div>IG: <a id="m_-8957504711371111195plusReplyChip-0" class="gmail_plusreply"></a>@ivan_ehlers</div>

Ivan Ehlers

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3rd-generation Angeleno Mike Sonksen, aka Mike the PoeT, is a poet, professor, journalist, historian and tour guide. Sonksen’s read poetry at over 100 academic institutions, appeared on radio and television and hosted at the Getty Center. His latest books are Traces, Places, Faces and Poets of My City: A Collective Effervescence. Sonksen was recently appointed the Long Beach Design District&#8217;s first Poet-in-Residence.

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Celebrating the Taco Lifestyle in Los Angeles, CA

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Julianne Lê graduated from UCLA in 2025 with a major in English and minor in Asian American Studies. Maybe it&#8217;s because she isn&#8217;t jaded yet, but she is super eager to peek into the overlooked corners of L.A. and write about them. Lê is the former editor-in-chief of UCLA&#8217;s Pacific Ties Newsmagazine and was a finalist for the Associated Collegiate Press&#8217; &#8220;Podcast of the Year&#8221; award in 2024.

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