Besides fireworks, July 4th is all about cookouts and parties. Here are a handful of events to help you celebrate this Independence Day.

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…

If there is one thing you can rely on the internet for (other than DCist and abundant pornography) it is a near infinite stream of trends and buzzwords. As the internet grows beyond its humble roots as a military communications network and porn depository, it not only expands, but matures, which inevitably leads to a blizzard of hype. So as media and data shed their traditional forms and continue to evolve online, it is important…

MONDAY: >>Lucinda Williams brings her raspy voice to the D.C. tonight. Her Tom Petty-inspired brand of roots rock can be heard on her latest album, Live At The Fillmore. Or you can catch the real thing tonight at the 9:30 Club. $35, 7:30. >>Grab your Coke, gel your hair, and spend the evening with the man who made teenagers and soccer moms wear out their voting fingers in 2003. Clay Aiken at Wolf Trap, $25…