Zach Behrens

Shepard Fairey, famous for his street art and the famous Obama poster, spoke to the LA Times about the other Obama poster that was first seen around Los Angeles last week. "I don't agree with the political content of the poster," Fairey said of the poster that has Obama's face painted like The Dark Knight's Joker with the word "socialism" below. "They don't realize that Medicaid is a socialist program." Fairey and his circle...

What cats learn on TV | Photo by Malingering via Flickr Those who own horses are likely to get less strict water usage laws under a motion going through Los Angeles city council right now, but on a more national level congress looking into tax relief for pet owners. The Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act (more specifically, H.R. 3501) would allow individuals to deduct up to $3500 a year for...

Photo: Bob Oberstein Despite an abundance of precaution over a possible bank break-in, police officials have called a code 4--everything back to normal, no issues--at a Bank of America branch in Sherman Oaks. Around 8 a.m. when the bank manager arrived, things seemed out of place and suspicious noises were heard coming from the vault area. Police were alerted who in turn shut down Ventura Blvd. between Cedros and Willis for 3 and a...

The Los Angeles County Coroner announced today that their "thorough and comprehensive" investigation into the death of Michael Jackson has been completed. However, the LAPD has requested the information remain confidential as their investigation continues. "The extension of security measures will help maintain the integrity of the investigation and allow investigators from LAPD’s Robbery Homicide Division, as well as our partner law enforcement agencies to continue their investigation," they explained in a statement. Further...

It's not that the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California wants Lancaster officials to stop praying all together at the beginning of meetings, but to stop singling out that Jesus guy. “The City Council is clearly showing bias toward one religion by leading council and planning meetings with Christian prayers,” said Peter Eliasberg, Manheim Family Attorney for First Amendment Rights at the ACLU/SC in a statement...

An aggressive brush fire in the Los Padres National Forest has burned 10,000 acres and is showing little sign of letting up, according to the LA Times. The La Brea fire began Saturday afternoon and is over five miles away from homes on the edge of the Santa Maria and New Cuyama areas. The national forest abuts the Angeles National Forest in the Santa Clarita Valley and extend along the South Coast Ranges to...

Police have shut down Ventura Boulevard between Cedros and Willis in Sherman Oaks after bank employees suspected a possible break-in in progress this morning. Upon arriving around 8 a.m., bank workers heard suspicious noises coming from the vault area. They alerted police who in turn precautiously shut down the busy artery during rush hour as they prepared to enter the building. As of 9:40 a.m., police were preparing to enter the building, according to...

After a wildfire swept through a portion of Joshua Tree National Park last May, officials announced today that the Lost Horse Mine Trail has been reopened. "While the Lost Horse Mine Trail is being re-opened, park visitors are urged to remain on the trail while hiking through the area," a statement read. "The pace of germination and post-fire re-growth [of fragile desert plants] has been slowed somewhat due to the lack of summer rainfall...

Photo by versageek via Flickr Tonight and tomorrow night, the LAPD will be conducting a couple DUI checkpoints around the city. "Our Message is simple: If we catch you drunk, you will be arrested," they say. So far this year, the North Hollywood Division has experienced 87 driving under the influence related and 667 “Hit and Run” traffic collisions. In Hollywood, there have been 66 driving under influence-related and 662 hit and run traffic...

Lake Balboa at sunset | Photo by T Michael Kim via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr A brush fire in Riverside prompted a mandatory evacuation in some neighborhoods this afternoon. The LADWP is offering free California friendly landscaping workshops over the next four Saturdays. Environmentaland has opened its doors at Hollywood & Highland. It's a theme park of sorts... an interactive environmental one, they say. Cobras & Matadors shut their doors to the Los...

For those living in apartments or condo buildings, much of the recycling is done by the city's Multifamily Residential Recycling Program from the the L.A. Bureau of Sanitation. The progressive department, who is also aggressively working on a zero waste plan with the public, has now entered the world of Web 2.0. They just set up Twitter and Facebook accounts so people can learn about materials accepted in blue bins, but also for residents...

Photo by Julie Wolfson/LAist Taste approved, this seasonal pizza at Pizzeria Mozza is crazy good and will only last until fresh artichokes are out of stock (likely by September). This $15 pie is made with stracchino, a soft and creamy cheese, and is topped with shaved artichokes, lemon & olives. Got food porn? Submit your own Eye Nosh photos and mini-review to our LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr (label them "Eye Nosh" too.)...