Callie Miller

Did you build the butterfly habitat in Venice? Did you? Or you or you? A very cool someone has built a monarch butterfly sanctuary in a rundown Venice lot, according to the Venice Patch. The habitat was discovered a few weeks ago, on the side slope of a lot on the east side of Pacific Avenue and 29th.

What do you get when you help twenty kids cross the street safely outside a school in Florence? A serious beating. According to CBS Los Angeles, a man and a woman have been arrested on charges of beating a crossing guard and...wait for it...stealing her whistle and sign. What the...? The 59-year-old crossing guard tried to stop a black Ford Expedition from entering the intersection to protect kids she was attempting to ferry safely across.

A 62-year-old South L.A. man has been convicted after he was seen having sex with a female German Shepherd mix under a freeway overpass, according to KTLA. Arrested earlier this year for the assault on the dog he adopted from a shelter, Wade Strickland plead guilty to cruelty and lewd conduct and has been placed on three years' probation. He is also required to attend 24 animal care counseling sessions and is prohibited from...

Boyle Heights shooting, Santa Monica deal site, Porto's Parking Passion, donation-stealing thieves, frozen tracks and more news of the day. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports

Mad Men embodies many things to many people. You might dig Bert Cooper's art and shoeless ways, loathe Pete's ambition or swoon over the Draper's while rooting for their eternal happiness/ruin. Of all the books and merch associated with the hit show, Dyna Moe's Mad Men: The Illustrated World is one of the few that doesn't take itself too seriously which is why you should check out her signing at Book Soup tomorrow evening at 5 p.m.

Earlier this week, we wondered who put the E. Coli in our Emmental. KTLA reports that the Bravo Farms E. Coli and Listeria recall is now affecting your local Whole Foods store. Seven cheeses bearing "Distributed by Whole Foods" stickers have been recalled, so unless you'd like to do the kidney failure dance, check your fancy cheese stash and toss them out: Sage Cheddar, Silver Mountain Cheddar, Chipotle Cheddar, Premium Block Cheddar, Premium White...

Rick Ordonez, once known in graffiti circles only as Atlas and charged in July with six felony counts of vandalism for spraying his cartoonish cats on public property, now has his own gallery show at Mid-City Arts, according to the LA Times. After serving 90 days in jail and completing 300 hours of community service, the show comes at a good time for Ordonez as it allowed him to "get back on track."

Reverend Maurice Chase, aka Father Dollar Bill, was at it again this Thanksgiving, handing out $15,000 in cash yesterday to eagerly awaiting homeless in what has become an annual tradition. Singles, twenties and a few benjamins were handed out to those in need at the Salvation Army Mission at 5th and Sanford in downtown LA. KTLA reports that the money Father Chase donates comes from Mrs. Bob Hope, Mrs. Frank Sinatra, Bob Newhard, Eli...

Before you let your post-turkey food comas consume you by prepping yet another leftover plate, consider taking one of many excellent hikes over the long holiday weekend. Though there are hundreds of trails we'd love to share with you (eventually we'll cover them all!), here are five easy ways to get your post-turkey tail moving to enjoy the fresh air and gorgeous views our fine city has to offer....

Mr. Gay O.C. gives back, LAist's Editor talks food on KCRW, one beach swallows another, Touch Your Junk Anime and more news of the day. Plus: Keep up with us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter: @LAist @LAistFood @LAistSports