Videographer captures L.A.'s connections

For some time now, Times videographer Katy Newton has been offering latimes.com readers a decidedly offbeat way of looking at L.A. Newton has marched through the streets of the city talking to people about their missed connections in the big city. "ICU" has gained a cult following, and LAist talked to Newton about her brand of story telling (and how it started):

I had a friend that was sort of stalking a guy at Trader Joes. I mean she would try to time her Saturday shopping so she would see him. She had figured that he would be a perfect match by the vegetables he picked out (that cracked me up). Anyway, a bunch of us were discussing the situation when another friend suggested to her she post on Missed Connections. I hadn't heard of it and I went home that night and read them. I immediately fell in love and thought about a video series. Update on my friend: she is now in a long-term relationship with a guy. It was a guy at her work; they fell in love after a deep discussion about the best way to cook beets. True Story.

LAist also has a cool tour of a hidden public stairway in Hollywood Heights.

Shelby Grad