Personal Note from Damien: Welcome to the Newest Streetsblogger, and See You on 10/29

Friends,

At 12:29 p.m. earlier today, I became a father for the second time when Mary Leigh Newton made her world debut at Cedars Sinai Hospital in Beverly Hills. She came a couple of weeks earlier than expected, which caused some disruption in our publication schedule but tomorrow we'll be back to normal with (at least) three original stories.

Long time readers may remember that the last time I took paternity leave, we had a revolving door of guest posters cover individual days. Now that we have a broader writing team, we asked three distinguished writers to each step in as "guest editor" for a week to handle the minutiae of publishing this website, work with our writing team to meet a tight editorial schedule, and produce unique original content of their own.

Anyone who reads L.A. Streetsblog regularly is already familiar with two of our "guest editors": Streetsblog's South L.A. writer Sahra Sulaiman and our newish Long Beach reporter Brian Addison. But next week we'll be turning the reigns over to Ted Rogers, author of the popular "Biking In L.A." website. Of course, Rogers will be aided by Sulaiman, Addison, Kris Fortin, Gary Kavanagh and any other freelancer or contributor who pitches in. I know Dana Gabbard is planning on continuing his coverage of the Surfliner/LOSSAN reorganization.

I'll be back on October 29, after taking a full three weeks to get to know my little girl and help my little boy adjust to life as big brother. Three weeks of no writing is a much better break than I had last time, and it gives me a chance to get back in the groove in the lead up to the big vote on Measure J.

If you really miss me over the next three plus weeks, you can always follow me at twitter @labikes and I'll be updating Streetsblog LITE from time to time.

All the Best,

Damien

P.S. - We didn't have a Streetsblog baby shower this time, but cash for guest editors doesn't grow on trees. Today is as good a time as any to consider making a contribution to Streetsblog by clicking here. Don't forget to direct your donation to "Los Angeles."

P.P.S. - I've slept 40 minutes in the past 40 hours. Please excuse any grammar errors.