Our sister site LAist informs us, via the Mars Phoenix Lander's Twitter, that water ice has been found on the planet Mars today. At around 5:15 p.m., NASA folks exclaimed, "Are you ready to celebrate? Well, get ready: We have ICE!!!!! Yes, ICE, *WATER ICE* on Mars! w00t!!! Best day ever!!" Martian discoveries soon to follow. Presumably. Read more about today's icy, outer space discovery here.......

In case any slimy, green Maritans appear, brandishing pointy laser guns--and all experts agree that there will be--keep track of them and the Mars Phoenix Lander on Twitter. It's scheduled to land on Mars this evening at 4:53 p.m. (PDT). Or so. For those of you not outside getting ripped at a barbecue today, you can also check out Mars Phoenix Lander coverage live on NASA TV. Via Laughing Squid.......

Sketchfest continues...

RiffTrax Live at the Castro - Plan 9 from Outer Space: MST3K's Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy, and Bill Corbett provide live commentary on Ed Wood's cult classic, the abominable and beloved Plan 9 from Outer Space. Eeee! Like, we could just die! (Part of SF Sketchfest.) Starts at 9 p.m. at the Castro Theatre.Your Macworld Expo Parties: It's winding down, kids. Partake in the Macworld festivities while you can.Ships in the Night: San......

Cosco Busan Update: ...

All of our comics this week have been struck by some kind of diabolic decontextualization ray, leaving them to fend for themselves in the bleak tundra of WTF. From local artist Chris Wisnia come inside-jokes so confusing you won't be able to find your head to scratch it; from Darwyn Cooke and Tim Sale come a Superman so divorced from modern superhero style we found ourselves enjoying it in spite of our deep-seated loathing......

We knew we should have saved the dead llama story for just one more day -- it's time for another Animal Roundup! Kids and parents are freaking out in Mountain View, as the squirrels in Cuesta Park go on the attack! Over the last three months, three people have been bitten by the aggressive rodents, which are becoming desperate for food after the installation of anti-squirrel trash cans in the park. Check out this paragraph......