46. Holidays At Holy Cross

Around Halloween, 2009, I wrote a blog post about Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.  I wrote how peaceful and beautiful the cemetery is during the day...not frightful at all.

I wrote about how different Holy Cross Cemetery seemed to me because the grave markers in all sections, except one, are flush with the ground.  This makes it easy to see any adornments, such as flowers, brought as love tokens in honor of the dearly departed.

I wrote about the first time I visited the cemetery during the holidays (some of the departed members of my family are laid to rest at this cemetery); and how amazing it seemed to me the way this cemetery becomes transformed due to all of the holiday adornments.  Every year Holy Cross chooses a day in January when remaining adornments not removed are removed by Holy Cross.

As you will see in the video with this article, the economy may have been in a down turn most of 2009; but remembering the dearly departed at Holy Cross Cemetery is thriving this holiday season.

With that in mind, three things:
1.  if you wish to get a feel for the contrast of what the cemetery looks like without holiday adornment, click here to view the video from my Halloween blog post;
2.  I wish to dedicate this article to my Aunt Loretta for always being so awesome and loving about remembering our family's departed loved ones (well and just for being so all around loving period); and
3.  I wish all my treasured readers the most stressless and joyous holidays ever this year.  May 2010 be your best year ever.

45. Cruisin' at the Beach Christmas Car Show Highlights

Considering this car show in Redondo Beach at Ruby's Diner was canceled the previous week (12/12/09) due to too much rain, this beautiful day in the South Bay of L.A. couldn't have been more beautiful.

We arrived at the event before the 9 AM scheduled start time to enjoy breakfast at Ruby's.  We were fortunate to sit in a booth so Uncle Larry was able to watch the various cars as they drove into the parking lot to sign in and be directed to their parking spot.

Ruby's interior was decorated festively and fun.  This particular Ruby's has a pulley system on the ceiling around the perimeter of the restaurant to give the illusion that fish are continually circling around.  The decorator adorned each fish with a Santa hat.  Too cute!

My potatoes were cold.  Ruby's doesn't serve the stereotypical hash browns.  The potatoes served with breakfast are cubed and fried.  Most likely had they been warm they would have tasted good.  And some may be thinking, "why didn't you ask to have them warmed up?".  Too lazy, I guess.  Plus, the heuvos rancheros I ordered was a huge portion and yummy.  Thus, I wasn't too inclined to have room in my tummy for the potatoes anyway.

Toys were collected and trophies would be distributed for many different car categories, which only seems right since there were such a wide variety of vehicles represented, for example, the Wartberg shown in the photo above.

When it comes to the cars at the show my words would surely fail compared to seeing them visually (and for that matter the images you will see pale in comparison to seeing them in person, but it's the next best thing if you were unable to attend).

Enjoy!

P.S.  Please note there was so much to see I needed to put together two videos, part a and part b.  Also, I dedicate this post to my Uncle Larry who loves cars.  Happy Birthday, Uncle Larry.  I love you.

44. rePLANET Recycling Centers

You may or may not know that California is a state that collects a deposit on certain recyclable items at the time you purchase them known as C.R.V. (California Refund Value).  If and when you recycle the item, you get the deposit back. 

If you are out and about in the L.A. area, you may notice one of the over 100 TOMRA Systems ASA's rePLANET centers where you may bring your recyclable items to redeem your deposit.

While I stand in line to recycle my items, I marvel at how much thought must have gone into these centers.  Yet sometimes I wonder how much the system really is set up to encourage recycling, especially if one works a full-time, 9-to-5-type job.  Also, what tourists are going to save their recyclables and bring them to a center instead of just tossing them?

The rePLANET centers are open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 4 PM. 

If you are a tourist in the greater L.A. area, sometimes while out and about you may find containers to toss your recyclable items into (you won't get your deposit back however).  As I've mentioned before, the greater Los Angeles area has lots of residents, lots of tourists and lots of garbage.  So C.R.V. and being "green" aside, if for no other reason than it helps with the amount of garbage in our landfills, I personally extend my appreciation to all who are willing to go the extra mile to recycle.  Mahalo!

43. Not A Record (follow-up to post #40)

Before I get into the actual post, I just want to say that due to the photo being taken at night many of the unlit candle's on the menorah were difficult to see.  I placed a number above the candles to assist.

Okay, so this is my update of my Hanukkah post about lighting the third candle of the menorah event at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, California.  The event's host, Santa Monica Synagogue, hoped to have enough of a crowd/dreidel spinners to break a world record.  Alas, no.

So no record, but I am now the proud owner of a lovely hot pink, plastic dreidel to commemorate the event.

Toda lax vekol tuv bahemshex.

42. Dogs in the Hood

On December 6th I attended the 2009 Dogs in the Hood A Holiday Extravaganza fund raiser/CD Launch Party at the Hollywood Center Studios in surprise? Hollywood.  What?  You weren't surprised.

Immediately I was impressed to be on the Hollywood Center Studios lot where such legendary movies as "When Harry Met Sally" have been filmed.  That's right!  I'm a girl.  Guys may be impressed that the movie, "I Love You Man", was filmed there.  Or maybe that's just me again.  In a way it doesn't matter as public tours are not available on the studio grounds.  The only way public is allowed in is if they are part of an audience for a show being taped at the studios.

Inside one of the sound stages the hosts of this event had set up tables for vendors, CDs available for sale, refreshments, the Rescue Work of New Leash on Life, In Defense of Animals and The Daddio Collective Urban Sanctuary Initiative.

I arrived a little late walking into the midst of some holiday songs being performed by a group of young singers entertaining those in attendance.  It was fun to see all the dogs who were lucky enough to have their owners bring them to this event.  Some were dressed in holiday costumes.  The dogs that is.  Set up at the event was a red carpet for the dogs.  For this event the dogs were definitely the stars, as the dogs received doggie bag swag from Healthy Spot LA of Santa Monica.  There was a best holiday costume contest.  The winning dog was awarded a trophy.  It was all very adorable.

41. Third Street Promenade Holiday Launch

Festivities were set to start at 5 PM.  I was glad I arrived at 4 PM.  This gave me a chance to walk around and admire the way the Third Street Promenade is decorated for the 2009 holidays.  It also afforded me the opportunity to get a fairly good spot to see the stage.

I was somewhat disappointed when 5:30 came, went and still no start to the festivities.  What can I say?  I am a punctual sort.

Pat Prescott, co-host of 94.7 the Wave's morning show, started off the show and served as emcee.  The show started with a soapy display of falling snow and a surprise visit from that North Pole resident a.k.a. Santa Claus.  All delightful.  Next the crowd was regaled with some holiday music from some lively carolers.

After the carolers finished Ms. Prescott returned to introduce singer, Jared Lee.  Never heard of him.  First song not so eventful in my mind.  He did an impressive, shortened, jazzy rendition of the Mariah Carey song, All I want For Christmas Is You.  I actually wish I had filmed his performance of this song.  He also sang his song, Hooray For Hollywood, which he also wrote.  Pretty good!

Ms. Prescott again returned to the stage to introduce her friend and co-worker, Brian McKnight, and his two sons, which were the headlining act for this event.  That man can sing and was well worth the wait.

This event was definitely more about what you came to hear than what you came to see.  Mr. McKnight finished his set and was expecting someone to return to the stage to commence with the tree lighting portion of the festivities.  Apparently the tree had already been lit during his set.  In going through my footage, I was able to find the moment that happened.  I include it in my video.  When you watch the video, see if you can figure it out.

Previously I mention the bridge lighting event at the Venice Canal.  The Third Street Promenade and Venice Canal event were basically at the same time.  I chose the promenade and hustling after to see if I might attend the tail end of the canal event.  About all I made it in time for was to snap the photo I include here.  Doesn't do the bridge justice if I do say so myself.  Also, it was quite dark in other spots along the canal walkway, which leads me to suggest your first visit be one during the day.  Or if you must go at night, you may consider bringing a flashlight.

P.S.  The tree is lit at about 4 minutes and 12 seconds into the video.

40. On the Third Day of Hanukkah at the Third Street Promenade

Starting at 5:45 PM on Friday, December 11, 2009 one candle will be lit on this Menorah (located between Santa Monica Boulevard and Arizona on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica) to celebrate the first day and the beginning of the eight days of Hanukkah this year.

If you are like me...wait...if you are like me in some ways, like the way where I have always wanted to participate in a world record, then you may want to show up to the Third Street Promenade for the third day of Hanukkah on the 13th of December for the lighting of the third candle on the Menorah festivities.

Okay before going too much further, I give formal credit here to the Metromix Los Angeles' article, which first informed me about what I think will be a fun event...a sight worthy of me seeing.  Click here if you wish to peruse it.  I wish no disrespect to the author, but I felt an inner nudge to confirm what was written in the article, especially since a Google search for the event only came up with the Metromix article.

Here's what I found out.  While the first candle will be lit on December 11th to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, the event attempt to break the record will not be until the third night, December 13th.  The event is listed as taking place at 5:45 PM and that participants should show up at dusk.  Dusk is...  Darn!  I thought dusk was the beginning of darkness in the evening, which occurs before the sun actually sets.  Currently in L.A. that would be right around 4 PM.  In my effort to clarify and define I checked handy, dandy Wikipedia only to find out I was wrong...couldn't be more wronger (if you are a regular, treasured reader of my blog you may be sensing a pattern).  Dusk is the end of the evening civil twilight.  Currently in L.A. that would be about 5 PM.

According to a spokesperson at the Santa Monica Synagogue, whose Rabbi Jeff Marx will be lighting the third candle at the event, the festivities are scheduled to begin at 6 PM.  Still, why not get there early to take a little stroll around the beautiful Third Street Promenade to admire the holiday decor.  Perhaps you might grab a bite to eat or some warm beverage to hold onto as baby it will be cold outside during the event.  Arriving early also ensures you will get yourself a good spot close to the festivities.

All right already.  Lori, you keep mentioning a record breaking opportunity at this event.  What is it? 

When you attend you are gifted with a dreidel.  If more than 602 are in attendance, participate and spin their dreidels simultaneously, then we that participate will bask in the collective glow of a new world record.  If not...well...let's expect it isn't whether we will succeed.  We will succeed and have fun doing so.

L'Chaim!

   

P.S.  Some of you may be thinking, "Lori, Bjork doesn't sound Jewish.  We bet your ancestors didn't change your family name at Ellis Island from Bjorkstein to Bjork.  Why would you participate?"  And I would respond, "good observation!"  I'd like to believe God is non-denominational and that fun, a close cousin to love, is too.

39. Santa in Santa Monica Weekends at the Third Street Promenade

Santa was the special guest at the tree lighting festivities on the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, Saturday, December 5, 2009.

Pat Prescott from the Wave's 94.7 morning show assured the crowd that the Santa in attendance is the real Santa because his beard and hair are real...not just realistic seeming facsimiles.  This is reason #1 to visit this Santa who will be at the Third Street Promenade every Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 PM until Christmas.

Reason #2 is there is no charge to visit and sit on this Santa's lap.  Of course, this means you must bring your own photo taking equipment to get a photo of the visit.

Reason #3 is there is no age limit to believing in Santa and no age limit for visiting Santa.  I'm just sayin'!

P.S.  In the photo is my sisters and me (at 18) with this lucky Santa.  And don't you love how Santa must have been experimenting with his glasses look back when this photo was taken.  I mean all those years wearing the same gold framed glasses, you can't blame him for wanting to change it up every now and then.  Am I right?  Or am I right?  Or am I right?

38. December Rain

On Monday, December 7, 2009 I awoke to rain.  As I mention in my October 14th post, seeing rain in L.A. is a sightseeing event in and of itself.  This particular morning was even more of an event since it included continuous rain with the kind of dark clouds which made it seem like it is still night out when it is day.  Not that I feel I had anything planned, but the rain had me feeling like there was no way I was leaving my "crib" all day.

Or so I thought.  Despite all the weather reports at around 3 PM the sun was out and it looked like the rain was done.  Thank you.  Now I didn't need to find my umbrella.  Thank you.  Now I would go to Manhattan Beach Pier to see what the rain and wind may be doing to the beach and waves.  Thank you.  Now I would get to see how Manhattan Beach decked its so-called "halls" for the holidays.  Also, I noted signage advising Manhattan Beach would be having a holiday Fireworks Festival at the pier Wednesday, December 16th from 4 to 7 PM.

As I drove down Manhattan Beach Boulevard toward the pier with the Guns n Roses song, November Rain, playing on my favorite radio station, KLOS, most of the signs of rain were already drying...but the wind.  Whooooo!!!

As you watch the included video, you will get a sense of the winds effects.  I did think the waves would be larger.  On the other hand, the setting sun and clouds (which are rarely found in the L.A. sky) display just about took my breath away.

The Universe also gave me an additional gift for my effort.  During my excursion the electricity went out at home for almost an hour.  Instead of being home handicapped by no electricity, I was out enjoying the painted sky at the Manhattan Beach Pier.  Thank you.

37. Alex, I Choose Things At the Beach for $500

And the answer is "piles of sand erected on beaches during the winter months to help curb high tide erosion".

Insert game show music here.

"What are sand berms?" our contestant shouts out with pride.

To which Alex replies, "You are correct."

And to think I was mistakenly referring to these piles of sand as sand hills.  I believe this is simply another form of the truth of the theory of relativity in action.

To geologists and coastal engineers, these berms are a resource to curb shore erosion.  To beach residents, these berms are a resource to help reduce the risk that their home will be pelted by huge winter storm waves.  To a dad and his young son, berms are a safe place to take your saucer and share some sliding fun.  To a group of boys, berms are a fun place to see who can jump the highest and farthest.  To Blogger Bjork, berms are sand hills which have provided fodder for a blog post.

So class, what have we learned?  The sand hills at beaches are technically known as berms.  A sand berm at the beach can be many things to many people.  And this probably wasn't what Einstein had in mind when he came up with the theory of relativity.

36. Venice Canal Seventh Annual Twilight Bridge Lighting

If you are like me (and most likely you are not as I consider myself one-of-a-kind), you may have some confusion about the L.A. City known as Venice.  For years I have mistakenly referred to this city as Venice Beach.  Truth is in the same way Miramar Beach in Torrance is a Torrance beach, the beach in Venice, California is Venice Beach.

Later after noticing the use of Venice for locations in episodes of Showtime's Californication (the name of this show was inspiration for the name of this blog), which included walking along the Venice canal area, I thought I had an "aha" moment.  They named the city Venice because it had canals like the canals in another city named Venice located in Italy known for its Grand Canal.

Wrong!  Couldn't be more wronger.  Back around 1900 a fellow named Abbot Kinney owned a sizable portion of Venice.  To make way for residential development, he had several miles of canals dug to drain the then very marshy land of Venice.  The canals were utilitarian, but also an homage to Venice, Italy's Grand Canal.

Any hoo, walking the canal area of Venice, California is a lovely nature and architectural excursion with the bonus of exercise.  Let's hear it for exercise.  Whoo hoo! The main walkway is a little over a block east of Pacific Avenue and runs from Washington Boulevard north to South Venice Boulevard.

If you are looking for an excuse to visit, you may want to check out the Illuminate the Night - 7th Annual Twilight Bridge Lighting and Holiday Party happening Saturday, December 5th from 5 to 7 PM, 212 Sherman Canal.  Actual bridge lighting is scheduled for 6 PM.

The organizer of the event, Darryl du Fay, mentions the event is tied in with their desire to benefit Venice Community Housing Corporation, dedicated to perserving diversity in Venice for over 20 years.  If you attend the event, donations are accepted and genuinely appreciated.

Enjoy!

35. Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade

The Third Street Promenade, the pedestrian only area of Santa Monica, celebrating its 20th Anniversary, is located a mere three blocks from the ocean on Third Street between Broadway Avenue and Wilshire Boulevard.

On Saturday, December 5th at 5 PM the Third Street Promenade will host Light Up The Season with Brian McKnight.

The Promenade is always a fun and festive place to enjoy on a Saturday night with its many venues and street performers that pepper this site.  One of the restaurants I enjoy eating at is Barney's Beanery, which I admit I decided to frequent after seeing the boys from Entourage there during one of their episodes.

During weekday visits to Third Street Promenade, especially not in the summer, the weather is fine and the site less crowded.  On a Saturday night in December expect it to be crowded and a little chilly.  I suggest dressing warm.

Enjoy!

34. Santa Monica Just May Be Lamborghini Heaven

One of the things I frequently notice since moving back to California from Minnesota, which I allude to in one of my other posts, is cars.  One never knows what exotic sports car, like a Lamborghini, they may see next on the mean, crowded streets of greater Los Angeles.  Okay, the streets aren't mean.  I just threw that in the mix for effect.

In one of my other posts, I mention Santa Monica.  Due to a comment, I decided to look for the statue of Santa Monica in Santa Monica.  The photo of the statue of Santa Monica is one of the few photos I've included in my posts that isn't one of mine.  I choose to write about places I've been to and experienced.

That's when it happened.  It's one of the things I love about writing this blog.  You never know what you might see that you didn't expect.  The only downside in this instance is I had already run out of memory for my camera and almost didn't get a digital recording.  Luckily, I have okay enough photo capability with my mobile phone to at least relay the gist of the experience.

Unfortunately, I was unable to find out why all of these Lamborghinis were lined up and displayed.

What tickled me is that before today if I'd seen A Lamborghini, I most likely didn't recognize it as it whizzed past me.  Today I seem to have hit the mother lode of Lamborghini sight seeing.  There had to be at least ten Lamborghinis in a rainbow of colors that pulled up and parked in their temporarily reserved parking spaces on Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica.  More than likely that number was probably closer to twenty.

I really enjoyed seeing the driver of one of these fine looking automobiles who pulled a one-eighty turn in an effort to pull into his spot.  Motor revved.  Tires squealed.  About two seconds later cop car and peace officer in said driver's face to issue a citation for...who knows...wild driving?

From my research I can only assume it had something to do with Lamborghini's decision to open its North American Sales arm in Santa Monica.  A smart move when you consider California represents about one-third of Lamborghini's North American sales.

So class, what have we learned?

Correct.  If you are in the market for a Lamborghini, now you know.  Get yourself to Santa Monica, California or Orange County, which you will find from my L.A. Sightseeing Examiner "Wo"manifesto is part of the greater Los Angeles area.