While hiking near the ambiguous border between Iran and Iraq on July 31, 2009, three Americans were arrested in Iran. The two males have been charged with espionage and illegal entry into the country and sentenced to eight years in Iranian prison, reports FishbowlLA. more ›

The eighth annual Artivist Film Festival, produced by the nonprofit Artivist Collective, Inc., premieres this Thursday, August 18, at The Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. Dedicated to raising awareness for international human rights, children's advocacy, environmental preservation and the human treatment of animals, the festival screens films that expose such topics, drawing crowds of environmentalists, philanthropists, humanitarians and artists. more ›

Reports of a hostage-taking gunman entering the Discovery Channel's Silver Spring, Maryland headquarters began to hit the newswaves around midday Eastern time. The suspect, soon to be determined to be 43-year-old James Jay Lee, was rumored to be carrying an explosive device. The premises were evacuated, and negotiators worked with Lee for over two hours; reports indicate he was shot outside the building and that his explosives went off, and just after 5 PM EST he was confirmed dead. more ›

I don't know if I've gotten even nerdier, or if documentaries have gotten even better, but half the films I've seen or wanted to see this year are non-fictional in nature. Which is why I'm stoked for DocuWeeks 2009, playing through the end of August at the Arclight. Sponsored by the International Documentary Association, the festival features compelling characters & stranger-than-fiction stories in first-look Academy-qualifying runs. Each week is a different program; this week features a look at ecology from the ground up, Up With People, the uphill struggle of Congolese & Nepalese refugees, and the uppest of the up, His Holiness the Dalai Lama. more ›

Anne Smith is the owner of the New School of Cooking in Culver City (which just happens to be a favorite of this LAist), which offers classes for everyone, from beginning to advanced. An aficianado of all things culinary, Smith is also interested in promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting local farmers and reducing our carbon imprint. She recently launched a blog that companions the School's website, and she has also offered us her top ten thoughts... more ›