12.20.2007

A Day Without Plastic Bags

Plastic bags pop up in all sorts of places - beaches, hiking trails, wind-blown on the side of the highway, and ultimately landfills - and it's not a pretty sight.

Yes, it can be a hassle to remember to bring your own bags to the supermarket, but it's worth making the effort, especially on LA's first 'Day Without A Bag' - today, December 20.

According to Heal the Bay, LA County residents use six billion plastic bags each year and recycle only 5% of that amount. Cleaning up all those bags costs us, as taxpayers, millions annually.

So either bring your own stylin' bag or skip a bag altogether if it's a small purchase. The environment, your conscience, and your fellow Angelenos will all thank you!

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12.09.2007

LA Kings: Good ‘Ol Hockey Game at The Staples Center

Get into the winter spirit with a Kings game at The Staple Center – one of the few places with ice (ice cubes don’t count!) in sunny LA. So what if it lacks the cachet of the Lakers? Sticks clack, skates swoosh, ref whistles trill, bodies slam against the boards.



Last Monday, I was treated to a LA Kings v. Edmonton Oilers game. We were in the nosebleed seats in section 303, not necessarily a bad spot at The Staples Center. The air may be thinner in the section 300 sideline seats, but we had a full view of the ice and the tix were only $25/pp through Goldstar, a site specializing in discount event tix.



Better still, we were in the midst of true blue (ok, it's actually purple if you want to get all technical about the jersey color) Kings fans. They yelled out to their star players using affectionate monikers like “Cammy” for Michael Cammalleri and lovingly dissed their team: “That shot was as wide as my ex-girlfriend.”

Even if hockey is not your all-time favorite sport, everyone should experience the bizarro intermission entertainment at least once. Imagine three fans in clear giant beach balls scrambling back and forth across the ice in a race for an autographed jersey. Add in a Guitar Hero contest, fan rides on the Zamboni (the ice resurfacing machine), and the Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grade Hockey Fan? faceoff, and you start to get the idea. The brilliant thing about hockey is that there are three 20 minute periods, which means there are two intermissions – 2x the fun.



After the Kings came back in the 3rd period to tie it, the game went into a 5 minute OT. Still tied, the Edmonton Oilers emerged victorious after an exhilarating shootout. Add in a couple of good tussles and overall, it was an awesome night.

On the way out, I just couldn’t stop myself from humming that annoyingly catchy Stompin’ Tom Connors ode to the sport:

The good old hockey game,
Is the best game you can name;
And the best game you can name,
Is the good old Hockey game!



The area around the Staples Center has undergone a major facelift in the past few years. Check out the brightly-lit Nokia Theater across the street. Parking can be pricey in the lots around the Staples Center, around $15 to $20. So try looking for street parking or use the Metro Blue line, which stops nearby.

For another take on excitement that awaits you at a Kings game, check out this recent blog post from the Militant Angeleno.

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11.29.2007

Cruising LA Beaches By Bike

A post-Turkey Day bike ride seemed like the perfect way to shake off our tryptophan overdose. Instead of taking a car and burning ever-pricier gas, my husband and I got the satisfaction of burning calories and burning thighs.



We started the roughly 30-mile roundtrip ride from the Santa Monica Pier, but you can cut your biking time down by starting from Venice. No bike? No worries. There are rental shacks near both the Santa Monica and Venice piers, with a decent cruiser running about $15/day. Check out Spokes n’ Stuff at 1700 Ocean Front Walk (310) 310-395-4748 or click here for other options.

The beauty of this ride is that you’re on a bike path, free of cars, almost the entire time, which may eliminate the adrenaline rush of swerving to avoid oncoming four-wheelers. But for inexperienced riders like myself, dealing with the speedy bike racers decked out in sleek, spandex gear, who whiz by in packs, is enough of a rush. Just remember that yells of ‘On your left’ are code for move your bootie to the right fast if you don’t want to get mowed down.



Following the bike path is pretty self-explanatory until Washington Blvd, where you turn left, battling cars and oblivious bikers. Ease into the bike lane and head east for several blocks until you hit Mildred Ave. where the route morphs back into a bike-only path.



Believe it or not, LA area beaches are not created equal. It’s not all Baywatch, and each strand of sand offers something different. In Santa Monica, watch people – adults and kids alike – bust out gymnastic moves on the rings, or just take in the fab view of the bay and carnivalesque pier.



Funky shops and characters await you in Venice. Stop by to listen to the street musicians, see break dancers, have your fortune told, or pump iron at the infamous Muscle Beach. On the weekends, you may be lucky enough to catch a drum circle in progress. If you have time, make a side stop at the Venice Canals.



With its modern high-rises and yacht-filled harbor, the Marina breaks up any illusion of coastal monotony. As you go around the Marina’s harbor, you’ll pass by the Fisherman's Village – a Disneylandesque take on a New England seaport. Despite the contrived setting, this is a great place to grab a bite at one of the waterfront restaurants or at the very least, enjoy views of the Marina.



After skirting the Marina, you’ll pass Playa Del Rey followed by Dockweiler, a long sandy beach known for the planes roaring overhead. (LAX is directly inland.) Dockweiler may not have the restaurants or charm of nearby beaches, but it’s one of the only area beaches to allow bonfires and is LA’s only on-the-beach campground.



Besides numerous restroom facilities, the El Segundo beach boasts hang gliding, along with a couple power plant eyesores.

Keep pedaling because my favorite stretch of sand, Manhattan Beach – the quintessential Socal beach with great waves, sea-green water, and a picturesque pier - is just around the bend.



Take heart, 30 miles might seem like a lot (and it is), but the terrain is almost entirely flat and there’s tons of places to break along the way. If my husband and I can do it, almost anyone can.

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11.23.2007

Undersea Delights Under The Santa Monica Pier

“I saw an octopus,” said one little boy. “Look Daddy, there he goes to the bottom.”

At the small aquarium hidden under the Santa Monica pier, watching the kids’ reaction to the sea creatures is almost as enjoyable as the sea creatures themselves.



Sponsored by Heal the Bay, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to protecting Santa Monica Bay, both kids and grown-up kids alike can get acquainted with sea life through tanks and exhibits.



Long snake-like eels greet you in a tank along the entryway. Swell sharks and horn sharks spurt water, if agitated, out of the open-top shark tank. And like any aquarium worth its (sea)salt, they have touch tanks - three! – where you can gently handle sea stars, crabs, sea urchins, snails, and other tidepool creatures.

The docents here aren’t afraid to get their hands wet in the name of learning. Tara, on-duty during our visit, happily dipped her hand in one ice-cold tank to point out some egg cases, housing unhatched swell sharks. As she shined a flashlight on the cases, we saw the shadow of the giddily-moving crab fetus inside.




Be sure to check out the ‘Sarcastic Fringehead’ in the Kelp Forest exhibit. Yes, that’s the fish’s actual name! Described as a ‘grumpy old man’ by Tara, the Fringehead is highly territorial and has creepy-looking bug eyes. Plus, I could’ve sworn he grinned sardonically a few times.



While it’s not out yet, they’re preparing a Jellyfish exhibit that should be on display in a couple of months. Described as “Living Art,” I reached a meditative state just watching the jellyfish float around and around.

Don’t forget your sticker on the way out. With sayings like ‘Waste ruins my taste’ or ‘Toxins tick off turtles,’ the stickers remind people how pollution is life-threatening to these ocean residents.



The aquarium is small and should take most people no more than an hour or so to peruse so it’s probably not worth making a special trip just to see it. But if you’re at the pier, the aquarium is a must-see, especially if you’re with little ones. Kids enter free, while adults pay $2.

Click here for specific information on hours and directions.

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10.31.2007

A Landmark Not To Be Missed: Landmark Theaters at the Westside Pavilion

Watching a movie at the Landmark Westside Pavilion is a whole new movie viewing experience. It was kind of like watching a movie in my living room, except the couches (that’s right couches!) were way comfier than mine and the screen was like 1000 times as big and the speakers were 1000 times better. Ok, so maybe it wasn't like watching a movie in my living room, but that’s a good thing.



Housed in the Westside Pavilion shopping center, the multiplex - just opened in June - plays a mix of mainstream and indie films. Most of the twelve theaters are relatively small, filled with cozy leather couches. Even a few stability balls are thrown in the front for people to sit on or perch their feet on. Parking is free and plentiful (almost unheard of on the Westside).



Unlike other theaters, you choose your exact seat when you buy the ticket so you can avoid those nasty front row seats that require an ostrich-like neck crane to watch the movie, leaving you in pain the next day. Did I mention there are ushers around to escort you to your seat?

So what's this experience going to cost? Amazingly, tickets run about the same as other theaters around town - $11 for an adult, $9 for a matinee. Besides the standard popcorn and soda on offer, the concession sells Yogurberry fro-yo (a Pinkberry rip-off), pizza from Pizza Rustica, and fancy imported chocolate like Toblerone.

Touted as the ultimate grown-up moviegoing experience, Landmark offers special 21+ nights on Fridays and Saturdays, when you can buy a glass of wine or a brewsky to enjoy with your flick.

To find out what's showing now, click here.

Westside Pavilion
10850 Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90064
Cross Street: Westwood Blvd

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10.19.2007

The Huntington: World-Famous Roses, Cacti, and Rare Books

Spanning 120 acres in San Marino (next to Pasadena), The Huntington comprises a library, art collections, and themed botanical gardens.



Henry Huntington, a railroad magnate, founded the collection in 1919. Help came from his uncle Collis Huntington, who died in 1900, leaving Henry an inheritance and, as fate would have it, his widow Arabella (a great art collector who went on to marry Henry in 1913.)

A stroll through the gardens calms the soul. The gardens are all exceptional, but the Desert Garden - almost like a display of modern art - is not to be missed.

Picturing tumbleweed and parched earth, I was pleasantly surprised by the Desert Garden's variety.



Who knew cacti come in so many different shapes and sizes? Small, large, furry, barrel-shaped… Some even had red fruit growing on them. I learned the hard way to admire the fruit from a distance after getting sharply pricked.

I thought my knowledge of the desert was pretty limited until I heard one woman ask earnestly, “What do they do if it rains?” I was tempted to tell her they throw a massive tarp over the whole 1.5 acres of desert plants.



Next stop was the Japanese Gardens. The scene is zen-inducing, complete with a wooden bridge, perfectly-pruned bonsai, and a pond filled with brightly-colored Koi.



Stop and smell the roses in The Rose Garden, which houses row after row of these vibrantly colored, fragrant flowers. It’s also fun to check out the names of the different species on display like Christian Dior, Prima Ballerina, and Bewitched.



Let your inner botanist loose at the nearby Conservatory, which houses displays of tropical and bog plants and also has a room with interactive displays. Have fun measuring which flowers have enough sugar to attract bees. See the difference between moss and liverwort under a microscope. And last but not least, there’s a plant petting zoo where you can touch and smell a variety of flora.

Ready for a change of pace? Meander through the world-renowned library collection. The original books on display put history into context in a way that textbooks can’t. Friendly docents explain how the Gutenberg Bible - one of the earliest printed books from the 15th century – is only one of 47 left. Huntington bought it in 1911 for $50,000 – the highest price ever paid for a book at the time. Amongst the one-of-a-kind items on display are an original handwritten essay by Locke, a Shakespeare play, a Henry David Thoreau manuscript, and the last photo of Lincoln before his assassination.



In celebration of Jamestown’s 400th anniversary, there’s an exhibit on the colony’s history on now through mid-January 2008. Since playing Pocahontas in a 6th grade school play, I’ve been a bit obsessed with Jamestown. You might be familiar with the colony via Disney’s Pocahontas flick. This exhibit gives some non-fiction insight into the relationship between the colony’s founder Captain John Smith and the nearby Powhatan Indians.

Last but not least, don’t miss tea-time at the Rose Garden Tea Room, which overlooks three acres of roses. Limitless refills of tea and scones are served so come on an empty stomach. Reservations are required.

At $15 a pop for a ticket, entry to the Huntington seems steep, but when you consider that it includes admission to the gardens, library, and special exhibits, it becomes more justifiable.

Admission is free the first Thursday of every month, but you need to secure a reservation in advance. Click here for more info.

The Huntington
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 405-2100

Tues - Fri: Noon - 4:30 p.m.
Sat - Sun: 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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9.18.2007

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

My grandmother would probably have rolled over in her grave if she saw me at the Dodgers game this past Saturday. But I like to think she’d cut me some slack since they were playing the Diamondbacks and not her beloved Giants.

And how could I resist? The Dodgers have been an LA institution since 1958.



I’d love to describe the excitement to you when the home team scored 4 runs in the 1st inning, but I wasn’t there. Like any honest-to-goodness LA fan, I arrived late. Why? Well, why else? Traffic, of course!

When we finally arrived, our visiting Canadian relatives used their Canuck charm and maple sugar friendliness to upgrade us to behind-home-plate seats without actually asking for special treatment. Persuasive? Telepathic? All I can say is never underestimate the power of our Northern neighbors.



I spent most of the time focused on everything but the game. I people-watched, gorged myself on junk food, and basked in the SoCal sunshine - ok, we were in the shade of the upper level above us, but that made it even better. I like enjoying the sun without burning to a crisp.



While some fans tossed around a beach ball, others waved their blue foam fingers frenetically as if trying to change the course of the game. Still others flaunted elaborate blue-and-white getups, making me think they were either crazily loyal or just plain crazy.



As for the food: Dodger dogs, beer, even fro-yo. This is the stuff dreams are made of. I still can’t shake the Gordon Biersch garlic fries out of my mind. Coated in garlic and drenched in enough oil to make them fantabulously, artery-cloggingly crisp, I couldn’t stop shoveling them into my mouth by the handful.

While I can’t pretend that I know much about baseball, I did get a few blood pressure surges when 3rd base was stolen or the bases were loaded. And when the crowd stood as one to cheer the 6th inning home run, I stood right along with it.


Regular season starts in April and lasts through September. Check out the official Dodgers site for tickets.

Single-game tix for the 2007 season range in price from around $10 for nosebleed seats up to $225 for Baseline VIP seats.

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8.31.2007

Grauman’s Chinese Theater: Tour a Relic from Hollywood’s Heyday

Off-the-beaten-path it is not. Among the 10 most visited tourist traps in SoCal, Grauman’s Chinese Theater is, nevertheless, a trap I didn’t mind being ensnared in.



That’s not to say that I enjoyed being accosted by the seemingly drug-addled freaks, adorned in Star Wars and Superman garb, who gathered out front to badger passersby into paying for their pictures. Nor did I appreciate the camcorder-touting supertourists, who stepped on my toes, as they jostled for that perfect shot.

But despite the freaks and crowds, the theater deserves a visit for its history alone. The backstage tour, which runs about $11 pp, is a great way to see more than the tourist-infested outside.



Completed in 1927 by Sid Grauman, one of the original 36 founders of the Academy of Motion Pictures, the Chinese Theater boasts the largest screen in the country – over 90 feet wide. The scene of countless movie premieres, Grauman’s opulently cheesy Chinese décor looks almost the same today as when it opened 80 years ago. Two original giant Heaven dogs imported from China still guard the theater’s imposing bronze entry doors.



Our tour guide Chris explained how it’s still tradition for actors and directors to touch the kitschy Chinese wax figure inside the entrance for good luck. Ok, I’ll admit it. I was superstitious enough to touch the darn thing myself when Chris wasn’t looking. I’ll let you know when my screenplay gets optioned:)



Besides the wax figure, there are oriental carpets, large vases and urns, red spider lights imported from Shanghai, and a beautifully-painted brick wall depicting a forest. The theater’s décor reminds me of Tinseltown’s ability to transport people out of the humdrum of daily life into an alternate fantasy world.



Famed for the hand- and footprints immortalized in its cement forecourt, Chris had some amusing anecdotes about the stars’ various cement ceremonies. Apparently, silent film star Norma Talmadge accidentally started the tradition when she stepped into a wet cement slab.

Jimmy Stewart defied superstition and stepped into his cement square while standing under a ladder with a black cat next to him. Meanwhile, Samuel L. Jackson wanted a purple-hued square, but the cement mixers failed to concoct it so he had to settle for plain gray.



Interested in checking out the VIP lounge, either take the tour or splurge for special access to the balcony and lounge area that boasts a full bar and checker tables. Did I mention the historic photos of Marilyn Monroe and Ronny Reagan on display? Tres cool!

Looking for something to do after the tour? There’s an over-the-top mall next door. While the stores are nothing special, it does feature elephant decorations and an oxygen bar.

6925 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Cross Street: Highland

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8.13.2007

Manhattan Beach: Sun, Surf, Sand, and Sweat

Imagine the quintessential SoCal beach with great waves, sea-green water, and clean sand that stretches for miles in both directions. Throw in a picturesque pier, beach volleyball, surfers and boogie boarders galore and you’ll start getting a feel for Manhattan Beach. (Did I mention that dolphins have been known to frolick near the shore here?)



As the first SoCal beach I ever laid eyes on, I have a special fondness for this yuppy, yet laid back South Bay enclave. But my fondness goes beyond mere nostalgia. While not far from the hustle and bustle of LAX, a visit to this laid-back city is like taking a mini-vacation.

Life here centers around the beach. Flip flops and swimwear are the unspoken uniform. Besides being relatively cleaner than Santa Monica, it also gets less of the camera-toting, super tourist crowd.



This is the playground of the toned, taut, and tan… almost makes me feel like I should take up beach volleyball or something – almost! Besides swimming and surfing, there are beachside paths for runners, rollerbladers, and bikers. So if you want to break a sweat, but don't want to be stuck indoors at a gym, this is the place to come. No wonder so many professional athletes call Manhattan Beach home.



If you want to try boogie boarding, surfing, rollerblading, etc. but don’t want to commit to buying the equipment, rent at FunBunn’s near the corner of Manhattan Beach Blvd and Manhattan Ave. Don’t forget to stop in at the Manhattan Beach Creamery next door to enjoy an ice cream snack in an old-fashioned, ice cream parlor ambiance.



For those into architecture, the stunning homes alongside the beach are almost as captivating as the ocean view (although don’t expect over-the-top Beverly Hills-style ostentation).



If you get worn out from all the physical exertion and want something to do besides building sand castles, check out the small, non-profit Roundhouse Aquarium at the pier’s end. You can see eels, sting rays, and even touch a starfish.



Be sure to take some time away from the beach to explore the boutiques and restaurants. Be forewarned, prices can be steep here. Notable exception: Wahoo’s, an inexpensive fish taco chain on Manhattan Ave. that won’t break the bank.

Parking's not easy, especially in summer. There are a number of metered parking lots with 2 hour limits. Don't forget to feed those hungry meters. A parking ticket can quickly change the "life's a beach" vibe into something similar sounding.

Directions:

• Take the I-405 north or south and exit on Manhattan Beach Blvd., heading west to the coast.
• Alternatively, you can take Rosecrans from the I-405, which takes you to the north end of town. From Rosecrans, turn left on Highland to go through town. The beach will be down the hill to the left, a couple of blocks away.

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7.26.2007

Above Standard Rooftop Bar Downtown

The rooftop bar at the Standard Hotel in Downtown LA is above standard, both literally and figuratively. This is the place to wow out-of-town visitors – the place to bring New Yorkers who claim LA’s not a real city and the place to bring friends from small towns craving an urban experience.



Surrounded by glittering skyscrapers, the amazing 360 degree views of downtown LA from the rooftop make you feel like you’re in a real metropolis – not a spot of suburban sprawl in sight.



Equally enjoyable are the multi-colored sunsets (yes, the smog is good for something).



A variety of suits, hipsters, and tourists mingle here. The décor is kitschy with Astroturf-like flooring and brightly-colored plastic furniture, but the infinity pool and modernistic red pods, enclosing water beds, lend a degree of sophistication.



The red pod-encased water beds are what keep me coming back. Lying in these quirky pods brings back fond memories of those bouncy houses at carnivals. I generally fight the urge to jump around and satisfy myself with lying down to enjoy a fabulous, upside-down view of the downtown skyline.

While passable, the food and drinks are not what make this place special. The wine and mixed drinks are generally so-so, but the $11 mojito was money well-spent. Basically, you’re paying for the view here.

Feeling a snack attack coming on? The $5 thinly-cut fries should do the trick. There’s also a kebab plate (good, but not very filling) and pita & hummus, amongst other sundry eats.



According to one bouncer, some patrons have tried to mount the decorative plant sculptures, trimmed into the shape of animals, that adorn the bar area. Apparently it’s a common occurrence, although I’m disappointed to report that no such fun happened during my visits.

Warm evenings are the best time to come. Don’t forget to bring a sweater in case it’s chillier up top.

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7.16.2007

Angelino Heights: Time-Warp Back to the Victorian Era

While historic preservation is not one of LA’s strong suits, this town does boast a few beautifully preserved neighborhoods. A prime example of LA circa 1900 is the off-the-beaten path Angelino Heights 'hood, northeast of downtown LA. Filled with stately Victorian homes, a walk down Carroll Ave. will make you feel like you've time-warped back a century.



As a native San Franciscan, I was skeptical that LA’s Victorians could hold a candle to those in the City by the Bay. No doubt my hometown has way more Victorians, but Angelino Heights still left me impressed.



Most of the district’s homes are designed in the Eastlake and Queen Anne styles of the late 19th Century. The exquisite Victorian architecture you’ll see here includes heavy adornments like sunbursts, gables, and colored glass, making the homes look like elaborate gingerbread houses.



Besides the architecture, the other pleasant thing about Angelino Heights is its tight community feel. A few days before our walking tour, a fire had sadly gutted one of the homes on East Edgeware Rd. and damaged several nearby. The inspiring thing about this tragic event was the way neighbors pulled together, helping each other repair the fire damage.



If you’re short on time, the 1300 block of Carroll Ave. is the can’t-be-missed, postcard-perfect heart of the neighborhood with the best preserved Victorians. But if you have a few extra minutes, check out the 800 block of E. Edgeware (around the corner from Carroll).



Better yet, sign up for the LA Conservancy’s 2-hour walking tour of the area and have a knowledgeable docent fill you in on historical details for only $10pp. The nice thing about the tour is that the area’s unofficial mayor – ‘Murray’ – who lives at 1320 Carroll Ave. kindly opens his home to tour participants, giving you a glimpse of life on the inside of one of these Victorian splendors.

For those who say Angelenos have no sense of history (like I used to), a visit to Angelino Heights might change your mind.

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