As it gets closer to Halloween for LAist, a contributer recollects her tale of staring down the serial killer, Richard Ramirez, otherwise known as the Night Stalker. Must think happy thoughts -- okay, free organic chocolate chip cookies for Los Angeles -- now that's a happy thought. Other happy Los Angeles thoughts include an interview with Jack Kehler of The Big Lebowski (he was the Dude's landlord), a beautiful and magical photographic moment in Venice......

Elsewhere: Watching the State of the Union last night was a sport in itself. It took lots of stamina to make it through the drinking game. Late in the speech, when things were getting really fuzzy, Bostonist started to space out: "Give war a chance … wait … wasn't it give peace a chance … Cheney needs to find a new taxidermist … HEY, IS THAT DIKEMBE MUTOMBO? HOW MUCH HAVE WE BEEN DRINKING?" Yes,......