Blogging leads to adventures and fun soirees. Last night I was invited to a pretty swanky affair celebrating 50 years of Mustang and Fashion. It was held at The Standard Hotel on Sunset in WeHo.  This shirt was worn by the wait staff from the hotel’s Event Department and we couldn’t get them to give one up for us.

The event is documented in my flickr set, and was actually a lot of fun. Great food, nice cocktails and cars with pretty models next to them.  The Standard itself is quite the place. I remember it as the Golden Crest Hotel, then a retirement home when I first moved here, then it was abandoned for a while.  Quite the come back as you will note from the pictures.

The show itself was a fun bit of high zoot fashion history intermingled with a particular generation of the Mustang.  The speakers were L.A.’s own Christos Garkinos an expert in all things vintage along with Ford Design Director Joel Piaskowski who talked about the cars. Read the rest of this entry →

Griffith Observatory doesn’t think so.  Its still some 6 weeks to peak viewing which is expected around dawn November 30- December 14, but Griffith Observatory already has their viewing guide up.

Thanksgiving Day about 11am Ison will make its closest approach to the sun and may be visible, with the aid of special filters when it is close to the sun.  It should be visible most of the day that day.  Wow.  Am like a kid in a candy store over this one.

Now that prime viewing charts have been established it looks like a sunset view isn’t gonna happen with this comet.  Dawn and pre-dawn look to be the best during that peak viewing period.  I had thought about going up the 15 to Stoddard Wells for viewing if it was going to be sunset. Scratch that and now looking at points east, say Joshua Tree pre-dawn excursion and set up to capture the comet in its glory as the sun slowly illuminates the horizon?    Might as well start planning now before everyone else gets the bright idea to leave the city for best views without the encumberance of light pollution.  Who’s in for leaving LA early enough to be in the desert for that with me?  I’m thinking the weekend of 12/7-8 as it won’t have the mad hordes of Thanksgiving Traffic and be right in the middle of the best viewing period?

 

This post is just about the students, 9 of them at least from the Monrovia Unified School District.  They were at the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts 50th Annual Celebrate the Arts show. All were demonstrating their talents in the flat media with a variety of media.  Urban art to plein air to abstract it was all there and represented.  Nice work by a bunch of talented kids.  Also, aside from this YouTube video there is some images of them and their work on flickr HERE.

Today most of them will be back from 1-5PM in Monrovia’s historic Library Park working on their art.  All you could want to know about Celebrate the Arts HERE.  

I really don’t apologize for the snarky image and the meme that has made the rounds on fb the last few days.  It does bring awareness to the issue of breast cancer in a fun way.   Celebrate your healthy bazoombas and set them free for the day.  All us guys will appreciate the effort and gesture.

Kidding aside, if you want to donate to the research for a cure go HERE or HERE.

Bill Hyatt is a metal sculptor of some renown in the area. His metal sculptures are beautifully executed ranging from the surreal to literal representation of their subject matter.  They are surreal and real at the same time.  Often whimsical, often make an interesting punctuation mark in the area they are displayed. From small crucifix to room sized they are always different and always beautifully done.

I’ve known Bill for a number of years through the Monrovia Association of Fine Arts (MAFA) which is sponsoring the Celebrate the Arts this weekend.  Bill Hyatt was chosen to be this year’s Featured Artist for a variety of reasons.  Bill has been involved with MAFA for many years, working tirelessly in the lean years to ensure the Celebrate the Arts show was put on.  His devotion to MAFA as well as his beautifully executed art were the reason he was chosen to be the featured artists for this years 50th Anniversary Show.  For a small gallery of his work make the jump.

Read the rest of this entry →

This weekend, October 12 and 13,  marks the 50th Anniversary of Monrovia Association of Fine Arts (MAFA) annual show, Celebrate the Arts.  Celebrate the Arts is a fine art event that has artists representing many media, from oil/acrylics, metal sculpture to photography/digital art it s all there.  This is a juried event where you can rest assured there are no simple bead stringers, but fine artists at the top of their craft.  But, have no fear, read a bit further and you will quickly realize this is more than some stuffy museum show, as we have our eccentric and unusual coming from the community to spice things up and keep it different.

The event will be held in Library Park in the heart of historic Old Town Monrovia right on Myrtle Avenue. There is ample FREE parking, something Monrovia still believes in providing visitors, all around Library Park.  Celebrate the arts is in the Eastern portion of Library Park on Myrtle Avenue between Palm and Lime avenues.  The show will run both days from 10AM-6PM Read the rest of this entry →

It first appeared here over a year ago in a blogging.LA post by Tamara, now the L.A times has jumped on the story too.  Today’s times reports that residents of Hollywoodland and other tracts with great views of the Hollywood sign are plagued with tourists blocking traffic, stopping in the middle of the road for the “perfect shot” of this L.A. icon.

I’ve suggested in the past folks visit Griffith Park for a view of the hills and the sign.  Its not up close and personal but it gets the point across without disrupting the lives of those that live close to it.  It certainly doesn’t put folks at risk with life and limb from that vantage point.

Tourists aren’t going to go away.  And that I suppose is a mixed bag. The L.A. Times article has one resident suggesting the city post armed check points to keep tourists out of the neighborhoods.  Thats just a tad excessive.  What would you suggest to help the problem?  Where would you suggest they go so as not to interrupt traffic or cause damage to peoples property for that great shot?

 

I have to admit, I’m a fan of the French Dip and its quite the conundrum for me to chose between Cole’s and Philippe’s sandwiches. Both are very good, terrific au jus, tender meat that tastes the way it should.  They aren’t that far apart in price and neither is going to break the bank.

Atmosphere, both got a ton.  Philippe’s is more of a fast food vibe with lines and find your own table at your own risk during peak times.  Cole’s is more of a sit down dark old timey bar that has charm all onto itself starting with the tinned ceilings and going down to the antique booths.

Both claim to be the original French Dip.  Neither will relinquish the title to the other, suffice it to say I think L.A. can lay claim to the sandwich as its own and we can move on.  You won’t go wrong with either French Dip Sammy.

Philippe has the edge on convenience for me. Getting there is a quick hop on the Gold Line to Union Station and a 5 minute walk.  Cole’s is more involved and finding parking in the area can be a challenge, except for weekends.

Which is your favorite?  Why?  Sound off in the comments for kicks and giggles.

Cole’s   118 East 6th Street, Los Angeles 90014 213-622-4090 MAP HERE

Philippe  1001 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, 90012 213-628-2731  MAP HERE

 

 

 

This was a total stumble upon on a recent walk about in DTLA. What makes them really unique is that their ice creams are all handmade, and churned through this magical bicycle and a set of gears that run the ice cream maker.  Yes, its a human powered ice cream making operation, easier than a hand crank and way more entertaining.  Imagine the calories you burn for the half hour or so you need to churn, why you can have the extra scoop!  FYI…there is a sign up and waiting list to get your chance to peddle churn a batch.

This place is more than a Rube Goldberg gimmick, its actually good ice cream.   Peddler’s Creamery is  REALLY good ice cream and it won’t break the bank either.  At $3.50 a single scoop, $6.00 for the double, it won’t break the bank and we thought how could we go wrong.  Narrowing down the choices was difficult, but at that price we could splurge for the double scoop.

I went for the coffee and the chocolate mint cookie combo.  I wasn’t disappointed, rich cream, decadent chocolate  and mint cookies one and rich coffee in the other. My pal Ruth had the vegan options which are all organic and built around coconut cream and said they were pretty terrific too.

Peddler’s Creamery 458 S Main Street Los Angeles CA 90013 213-537-0257  MAP HERE

I love old home movies, even those that aren’t my family.  They are wonderful documentary’s of our past giving little snippets into how we lived.  Nostalgic at times, foretelling at others.  Its all just one simple capture of a moment in time with live action and often no sound other than the hum, whir and clicks of the projector.  Marvelous stuff.

This year marks the 11th Anniversary of Home Movie Day, sponsored by the Center for Home Movies a local non-profit.  Angelenos are invited to bring their home movies in a variety of formats, from the “super 8″ to VHS to share at the event.  Yes, that precious film of you playing in the sand box and finding kitty was there first can be share with all of Los Angeles at this festival.  Admission to this portion of the days events is FREE.

Following Home Movie Day will be Hollywood Home Movies IV.  This is a curated showing of fims from the golden age of film that is sponsored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences.  This portion of the day does have the nominal admission of $5, $3 for students and seniors.

DEETS:  Sunday October 12th.  11AM film drop off starts.  Screenings for Home Movie Day are noon to 4 PM.  Screenings for Hollywood Home Movies IV begin at 7PM.  Both are being held at the  Linwood Dunn Theater, 1313 Vine, Hollywood CA MAP HERE

Full press release after the jump.  Read the rest of this entry →

I love a good bumpersnicker, but this one went just a bit over board.  My favorite one?  ”Dyslexic devil worshippers sell their soul to santa”.  Which one is your favorite?

Consistently voted one of the best community theaters in all of Los Angeles, the Sierra Madre Playhouse is presenting “The French Concert”.   This is a joint effort with the Colbert School of Music in Los Angeles.

They will even have a liquor license for the event and you will be able to enjoy some great wine during intermission.

You can get your tickets online and I would suggest buying early as this small, intimate venue could well sell out.  You can order online HERE.

DEETS: Sunday October 6, 2013 7 PM.  Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre CA MAP HERE  Admission is $20 for adults, $15 for Seniors, and $10 for students(to age 21).

DIY’s Desperate Landscapes is coming to Los Angeles and they want your desperate dead and dying front yard.  Its pretty easy, go to JayTV and follow the steps on the how to apply tab.  Your yard has to be really bad and take 2 days to fix.  You do need to submit a picture and a video…the latter is more of an audition tape so give it your all.  The process is pretty painless, especially if you have a youtube account that allows for large video uploads.

If you do submit yourself…drop me a note and a link to the video I’d love to post it here.  If you get on the show…let me know as I’d love to interview you.

Read the rest of this entry →

I was a fun day and the time there was over before I knew it. Posts a plenty will come from the event. We started at the Grand Central Market and worked our way down Broadway with a jog through the fashion district and back to where we started. The Safari was led by Mack Reed and Yael Swerdlow two journalists with a passion for their game, Snapcious and for the city. Read the rest of this entry →

I’ve still not been to the reported Miracle Mile motor mecca that is the Petersen Museum — but at least I’ve known about it!

The same cannot be said for the vehicular valhalla otherwise known as The Nethercutt out in Sylmar. Up until a couple weeks ago that institution had somehow avoided me knowing about it my entire life — and it still would be unknown to me had Huell Howser himself not reached out from beyond the grave and told me about it (in the form of an old “Visiting” episode on KCET, but still). Bless you and thank you, Huell!

Wasting no time at all while marveling at all the shiny automobilia Huell was amongst, I wasted no time in googling up the Nethercutt’s website and making a reservation for a guided tour — and get this: it’s free.

Now I know… I know. You’re wondering what kind of catalytic converter have I been living under all my life!? You’ve been there six times, and are going back next week to check out the recently added 1956 Porsche! Well I’m not talking to you. I’m talking to to that apparently small minority of angelenos  who, like me, have absolutely  no clue. And to them I’m saying that for the love of all engines internally combusted, if you have even get the slightest wide-eyed when any kind of  classic car rolls past you on the street, then you’ve got to get yourself out to Sylmar and prepare for your jaw to drop at all the mechanized majesty. Many, many times.

Seriously, if you have any type of appreciation for the history and design and evolution of Ye Olde Horseless Carriage, you’ve got to go and check out this unparalleled and extensive array of meticulously restored vehicles. As I said, the collection is free, but tour reservations are required). So click here to check out my Flickr set of images (thumbnailed above) from my visit last Saturday, and then make plans to go get yer car on and get upclose and personal with these magnificent mobile works of fine art.

WHAT: The Nethercutt Collection
WHERE: 15200 Bledsoe Street, Sylmar, CA 91342
WHEN: Guided tours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10a.m. or 1:30p.m. (Reservations are required)
WEB: www.nethercuttcollection.org
NOTE: Directly across the street from the Nethercutt Collection is the Nethercutt Museum, housing a separate and more extensive group of vehicles. That’s open Tuesday – Saturday, 9a.m. – 4:30 p.m. It’s also free, but no reservation is required.