Thursday, January 31, 2013

Celebrate the Year of the Snake in Chinatown LA

Photo Credit: LA Chinatown Business Improvement District
Head out to Chinatown LA to celebrate the Year of the Snake with a midnight ceremony, a memorable festival and parade weekend, and a world record-breaking attempt in paper folding! 

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Pam Shaffer: New Album and the Three Clubs

Pam Shaffer - "It is Happening Again"
Photo by Zoe-Ruth Photography
Believe it or not, I first became familiar with Pam Shaffer's music many years ago at a backyard birthday party.  She reminds me about why I love Los Angeles so much - you can find all this amazing talent in the most random of places and see how the artist grows and evolves as time moves on.  I reflected on this as I've spent the last week listening to Pam Shaffer's new album It is Happening Again.  So much of what I loved about this album reflects why I was drawn to her music all those years ago - there are many rich elements to her songs, so much depth in detail and beauty.  Every song on It is Happening Again is a story that is each individually vibrant in its lyrical details and arrangements, making for a great album I highly recommend.

Thursday, January 10, 2013

“Meanwhile, Back At Café Du Monde…” Los Angeles Area Book Signings and Show

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I met Peggy Sweeney-McDonald, author and producer of  “Meanwhile, Back At Café Du Monde…Life Stories about Food”, through my friend Jay Ducote, a rising Lousiana food personality, inside a Baton Rouge radio studio.  Jay was interviewing Peggy on her then upcoming Baton Rouge live show of “Meanwhile, Back At Café Du Monde…”.  Peggy who lives in Los Angeles and hails from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, will again be presenting a live production of Meanwhile Back at Cafe du Monde in Los Angeles on January 27, 2013 and February 11, 2013 at Tom Bergin's Tavern Restaurant at  840 S. Fairfax.  You can also catch Peggy signing her now hot selling book of the same title at several upcoming Barnes and Nobel signings, along with a Los Angeles launch party in Santa Monica at the South Restaurant and Bar on January 15, 2013 from 6 pm to 8 pm, and signings at Surfas in Culver City and and their brand new Costa Mesa location   At the end of this blog posting, is a listing of all of your opportunities to either meet Peggy Sweeney McDonald or to see the live show.

Monday, January 07, 2013

Remembering Huell Howser

One of my favorite moments.
Huell Howser with The Del Rubio Triplets in 1987.
Credit: KCET
There is something very present and very organic about Huell Howser’s passing that resonates with the native Angeleno in me.  I grew up on public television and the sound of Howser’s voice is as familiar as an old favorite song.  His marked enthusiasm and distinct accent, the images of California towns sometimes dusty and sometimes green, city treasures, and unique experiences can overwhelm me in a second if I let it.

Thursday, January 03, 2013

Homeboy Industries 5K Re-Cap


Before the start of the holidays, I had a great Los Angeles experience.  As I previously mentioned in an earlier post, I'm a carless Angeleno that likes to hit the ground running.I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in Homeboy Industries' inaugural 5K on December 15th!