Category: activities

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LA Eats: Local Pizza Places

A good slice of pizza is a powerful thing. May that be one slice of five slices, pizza is your friend. It is important to support local restaurants and businesses as a way to feed into your local economy. Check out our round-up of our favorite pizza places throughout Los Angeles and the Valley.

Los Angeles

Numero Uno Pizza

5044 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

They specialize in Chicago Style Deep Dish Pizza & Classic New York Style Thin Crust Pizza. They are also known for their Chicken Wings and Large Salads. Numero Uno Pizza was founded in 1973 with its first store in Northridge, CA. The company features a casual dining restaurant famous for its deep-dish pizza with its unique flavored crust and savory sauce.

All’ Angolo

4050 W 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA

Small, but charming restaurant serving northern Italian pizza, pasta & salads. Don’t let the size or location put you off; these guys are serving up some great Italian food. Simple ingredients with great taste. They have a small but complete menu of apps, salads (a soup d’ jour), pasta and pizzas; and don’t forget the daily blackboard specials.

Gracie’s Pizza

4330 Melrose Ave, Los Angeles, CA

Opened in the Summer of 2016 with the goal of creating a true New York-style neighborhood joint. They create meals from scratch; with love, integrity, and pride.  Their focus is to give back in a measurable way to their tightly knit block at Heliotrope and Melrose.

Westside

LA MORRA PIZZERIA

5125 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

These Neapolitan-style pizzas are made in a handmade oven by Zach Swemle & Marlee Blodgett, built especially for the ingredients of a Neapolitan pizza. La Morra’s simple and ingredient-driven Italian cooking and impressive crusts are offered weekly at the wine bar Tabula Rasa.

VITO’S PIZZA

846 N LA Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Vito’s Pizza is a local favorite. Their east coast inspired pies, perfectly crafted dough, and tomato sauce has its patrons traveling to all three of its Los Angeles locations. The pizza is ultra-thin, with a crisp underside and a good, chewy crust, and you can order by the slice. Vegetarians will appreciate the combination of fresh spinach, tomatoes, and broccoli with mild ricotta cheese.

Pizzeria il Fico

310 S Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA

Sleek, rustic-chic Italian eatery specializing in dishes from Puglia, with an extensive wine list. Despite the name, Il Fico is not strictly a pizzeria, it also turns out some Apulia-accented antipasti and most especially pasta dishes. At Vincenti, Mastronardi does the whole “elegantissimo” thing with an ambitious menu and polished and subtle cooking.

Valley

Chi-Chi’s Pizza

9080 Tampa Avenue, Northridge, CA

Local pizza chain for custom-made pies, plus pasta, antipasti & more in a casual, no-frills space. Great local spot for pizza at a reasonable price. Do yourself a favor, once you have had your Italian/Pizza fix,  try the Golden Pressure Fried Chicken and Golden Potatoes. The salads and dressings will please also.

LBK Pizzeria

359 Tujunga Avenue, Studio City, CA

At this Studio City outpost, there’s no place to sit inside, where the line to order pizza is endless. But there are some very pleasant picnic tables in front, making a fine pie on Tujunga Avenue a very pleasurable family experience.

Pasadena Pizza Co.

336 N. Allen Avenue, Pasadena, CA

You get a choice of thick crust, thin crust and gluten-free at Pasadena Pizza Co. The pies are big, and even bigger. The toppings are many, but mostly classic, except maybe for the ones with pastrami and with Alfredo sauce. While you’re waiting, there are video games, and pinball machines, which take me back to my misspent youth.

Lamppost Pizza

1145 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, CA

Lamppost Pizza offers great food, a friendly approach and a family-oriented atmosphere. Their community involvement includes being a proud supporter of the many youth athletic leagues in the area. Their team pizza parties are popular with all ages and sports. Bring your kids and family if you are local and are looking for tasty pizza!

Toppers Pizza

18417 Soledad Canyon Road, Santa Clarita, CA

Family-friendly pizzeria chain known for unusual toppings & dough made daily. Toppers Pizza Place has been the winner of Best Pizza Category for both East and West Ventura County Every Year this Century! If you are in the area, come and experience great pizza.

 

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Home Tips: Hosting a Housewarming Party

Hosting a housewarming party is a great way to bring your friends and family together for a few hours of laughing, eating, and drinking while showing them your new digs. Below are a few tips and tricks to set you up for success in hosting a housewarming extravaganza.

Figure out how much you want to spend

Before you make any decisions about your housewarming party, you need to know how much money you have to work with. Don’t feel any sort of obligation to spend big—a great housewarming party can be a totally casual affair. Most important is knowing what you’re comfortable spending, be it $50 or $500. From there, you can dive into all of the other details.

Set a reasonable date

Many people wait a few months in-between moving into their new home and throwing a housewarming party. Planning a housewarming party on a budget is all about working within parameters that you’re comfortable with. That applies to timing as much as money. Figure out a date that will give you enough time to recover financially from the move, letting go of the pressure to do it within the first month or two of settling in.

Be realistic

Party planning usually starts out with grand ideas that gradually get edited into something more reasonable. That’s totally okay! Nobody is going to come in expecting a Pinterest-worthy soiree or something out of the pages of Martha Stewart Living. Set realistic goals for your housewarming party and don’t worry about meeting some sort of idealistic, unnecessary standard.

Use washable plates and utensils

It’s always tempting with a party to go the easy route and purchase paper plates and plastic utensils, but ultimately that just ends up being a waste of money. Use your own plates, utensils, glasses, etc. instead, which will cost you in time when you eventually have to do the dishes, but won’t put a hole in your wallet. If you’re planning to have more people than kitchen items, go out and buy special hosting plastic plates and cups instead of paper, since they can be washed a reused – keep the environment in mind.

Play games

If you want to offer a little bit more in terms of entertainment, create your own free housewarming party games, like a scavenger hunt of items in the house, trivia about your town or city, the in-app game: heads up, or a scramble with words related to your new place. You can find game printable online or just make your own.

Congrats on your new home! Hopefully, these tips and tricks help keep you organized during a time a transition!

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LA Eats: Your Guide to Restaurant Month

Los Angeles Restaurant Month is an event hosted semi-annually, with over 400 participating restaurants showcasing prix-fixe dining menus to foodies and self-proclaimed food lovers, for a lower than expected dining rate. We cover places in Los Angeles, the Westside, and the Valley. Enjoy one of these premier dining destinations from our guide below, or all of them! 

Valley

Sherman Oaks 

Mistral

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 13422 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks 91423
Dinner Menu: $35

Having opened our doors in 1988, Mistral has consistently been recognized as among the San Fernando Valley’s best restaurants. Set within an elegant French bistro, guests are welcomed by seasoned and experienced staff members all charged with the sole purpose to provide you and your guests with an unparalleled dining experience.

Calabasas

SUGARFISH by Sushi Nozawa

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 4799 Commons Way, Calabasas 91302
Lunch Menu: $20 
Dinner Menu: $39

SUGARFISH was created Kazunori and Tom Nozawa and the four other founding partners of the Sushi Nozawa Group. The legendary chef Kazunori Nozawa only served traditional-style sushi (i.e. no California rolls or spicy tuna rolls). His menu was only omakase (“leave it to the chef”).

Agoura Hills

Cafe Bizou

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 30315 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills 91301
Dinner Menu: $29

At Café Bizou, they pride themselves in providing top quality service and delicious food in a family-friendly restaurant. Café Bizou Restaurant is the perfect setting for Business Meetings and Events, Family Reunions, Birthday celebrations or Rehearsal dinners.

Burbank

Castaway

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 1250 E. Harvard Rd., Burbank 91501
Dinner Menu: $59

Cape Grim Steaks. Pasture Bird. Mishima Wagyu. These are some of our culinary stars. Castaway will offer seasonally-inspired cuisine with a steak-forward focus including interesting cuts from the world’s best butchers and dry-aged in our in-house aging room with a Himalayan salt wall.

Calabasas

Saddle Peak Lodge

When: January 17 – January 31
Where: 419 Cold Canyon Rd., Calabasas 91302
Dinner Menu: $59

Part roadhouse, Pony Express stop, hunting lodge, European auberge, perhaps even a hint of a bordello, Saddle Peak Lodge has been many things to many people in its long history. For 100 years—some say even more—Saddle Peak Lodge has been a place of enchantment, romance and great dining for generations of those who seek a unique experience.

Westside

Santa Monica 

Water Grill

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 1401 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica 90401
Lunch: $35
Dinner: $59

For over 30 years, Water Grill has sated the palates of fish lovers. From the moment it opened, this flagship downtown restaurant from King’s Seafood Company has satisfied the need for a world-class fish eatery in Los Angeles.

Playa Del Rey 

Bacari PDR

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 6805 Vista Del Mar Lane, Playa del Rey 90293
Lunch: $20
Dinner: $29

Bacari PDR is a cozy little wine bar in an oddly shaped building on the main strip of sunny Playa del Ray that serves Italian Cicchetti (similar to tapas). You will find small but filling options like a stacked shrimp, mushroom, and juice-soaked bread tower, tender glazed pork belly, cheesy mushroom pizza, a thick burger covered in molten cheese, and hot clams.

Venice

Barrique

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 796 Main Street, Venice 90291
Dinner: $59

Michelin-awarded chef Antonio Muré brings eclectic Italian cuisine to life in Barrique’s cozy, romantic atmosphere with a Venice-style wine bar and rooftop terrace. Born in Porto-palo di Capo Passero, Sicily, and growing up in Parma, Emilia Romagna, Muré graduated from the prestigious Instituto Alberghiero di stato and spent his formative years cooking in some of Italy’s most celebrated restaurants. His unique approach to Italian cooking includes a variety of seasonal Italian creations like thinly sliced pan seared Buffalo with mustard grain dressing and Portobello mushroom salad and signature dishes like home-made red beet Tagliolini pasta in a Marsala quail ragú served on a bed of Taleggio cheese fondue.

Westwood

Audrey at The Hammer

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90024
Dinner: $49

Located within the Hammer Museum in Westwood, Audrey blends elevated and soulful cooking with a contemporary Southern California feel.

Los Angeles

Beverly Hills

a.o.c

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 8700 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles 90048
Lunch: $25 
Dinner: $59

After opening critically acclaimed Lucques in 1998, the duo of 3 time James Beard Award-winning chef Suzanne Goin and James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurateur of the Year 2018 Caroline Styne embarked on A.O.C., the area’s pioneering wine bar that first paired an indulgent list of wine by the glass with a menu of market-driven small plates.

 

Hollywood

APL Restaurant

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 1680 Vine St., Los Angeles 90028
Lunch: $20 
Dinner: $99

This restaurant is a BBQ restaurant by day & a Steakhouse by night. The restaurant is situated on the ground floor of L.A.’s first-ever high-rise, the historic Taft Building, and is a one of a kind dining experience.

Downtown

Faith & Flower

When: January 17 – 31
Where: 705 W. 9th St., Los Angeles 90015
Lunch: $35 Dinner: $49
Inspired by a global influence of flavors and techniques, complemented by the use of a wood-fired oven and pristine raw bar, this menu redefines Californian rustic cuisine.
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Weekend Events: January 10 – January 12

Looking for something to do this weekend? We’ve got you covered. We pick out the best things to do in Los Angeles, the Westside, and throughout the San Fernando, Conejo, Santa Clarita, and San Gabriel Valleys. Check out our weekend events list that includes concerts, culture, sports, cuisine, and more!

Los Angeles 

Friday, January 10th, 2020

Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra

location: walt disney concert hall

Conductor Zubin Mehta leads an adventurous look at German Romanticism from the lushness of the full orchestra in Wagner’s final Ring opera to the concentrated brevity of Webern’s nine-instrument concerto. This is the perfect chance to enjoy some music, and appreciate the architecture of the Walt Disney Concert Hall.  Get Tickets: HERE.

Saturday, January 11th, 2020

Whitney Cummings LIVE at The Comedy Store

Location: The comedy store, sunset blvd

Known for her stand-up comedy specials for HBO and Netflix, Comedy Central Roasts, multiple television series, and films, Whitney Cummings performs live at The Comedy Store this Saturday. Get Tickets: HERE.

MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) Launches Free General Admission

Location: MOCA

The Museum of Contemporary Art is launching its free general admission on Saturday, with a free, family-friendly celebration at both MOCA locations. There will be a shuttle running between both locations. Tickets: FREE!

SUNDAY, January 12th, 2020

Smorgasburg LA

Location: 777 S Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Indulge your inner foodie and shopaholic at this weekly food-focused market. Smorgasburg is the largest weekly open-air food market in America. With markets in New York and Los Angeles, they attract about 50,000 people each weekend to eat from over one hundred local vendors.

East LA Art Walk 

Location: East 1st Street, Los Angeles 90063

Not to be confused with the NELA Art Walk, the East LA event includes live music and art, fed by the surrounding area restaurants and taco stands. Sponsored by the small business owners of the 1st Street Corridor. No tickets are necessary.

Westside 

Friday, January 10th, 2020

Santa Monica Restaurant Week

Location: Santa Monica, CA

To celebrate California Restaurant Month and highlight Santa Monica as an award-winning, health-conscious culinary destination, participating Santa Monica restaurants and their chefs will craft delicious, healthy, and custom dishes centered around this year’s special restaurant week ingredient – the KUMQUAT. Check out the Santa Monica Restaurant Week Restaurants: HERE.

Saturday, January 11th, 2020

USC vs. UCLA Men’s Basketball

Location: UCLA

UCLA will host crosstown rival USC in Men’s Basketball. The Bruins and Trojans are each entering this weekend’s game with 1-1 records. Game time starts at 7:00 PM (PST). Get Tickets: HERE.

Downtown Walking Tours in Santa Monica

Explore more than 130 years of Santa Monica history in approximately two hours and six blocks on a docent-led walking tour of downtown. Learn about Santa Monica from its Wild West frontier beginnings to the sophisticated metropolis of today. Get Tickets: HERE.

Sunday, January 12th, 2020

Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical

Location: Redondo beach performing arts center 

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company. Head down to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center to experience this in real life! Get Tickets: HERE.

ICE at Santa Monica

Location: 1324 5th Street, Santa Monica 90401

Every holiday season Downtown Santa Monica brings a little ice to our beachside community, transforming the corner of Fifth Street and Arizona Avenue into the winter wonderland known as Ice at Santa Monica, an 8,000-square-foot ice-skating rink. Get Tickets: HERE.

Valley 

Friday, January 10th, 2020

Beauty and The Beast: The Broadway Musical

location: Thousand Oaks civic arts Plaza

Step into the enchanted world of Broadway’s modern classic, Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, an international sensation that has been seen by over 35 million people in 13 different countries. Get Tickets: HERE.

Saturday, January 11th, 2020

Tour of Heritage Junction

Location: SAUGUS TRAIN STATION – Santa Clarita valley, ca

Inside Heritage Junction, the Saugus Train Station Museum is open Saturdays and Sundays (except holidays) from 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM. It is one of the most popular destinations in the Santa Clarita Valley.  No tickets are necessary.

Chinese New Year Festival in Monterey Park

Location: Monterey Park, ca

Ring in the Lunar New Year in the real heart of L.A.’s Chinese community at this annual two-day Monterey Park festival. This street fair takes over five blocks of Downtown Monterey Park with folk art, delectable bites and a carnival zone. The action kicks off Saturday morning with firecrackers and dragon and lion dances. No tickets are necessary.

Sunday, January 12th, 2020

Thousand Oaks Philharmonic presents Opus 56

Location: Janet & Ray Scherr Forum Theatre

Spend the afternoon with your friends and family and enjoy some classical music at the theatre. Get Tickets: HERE.

2020 XTERRA Boney Mountain Trail Run

Location: Rancho Sierra Vista / Satwiwa National Park

This would be race #3 of the XTERRA SoCal Trail Run Series – XTERRA Boney Mountain 6k and 21k Trail Runs!  This is the Grandmother of the Series.  All courses are professionally marked, staffed with excellent happy volunteers and medics, and supplied with Aid Stations serving Gatorade, water, and energy gels and bars.Cheer on your friends as they finish, climb the podium in 5-year age group categories, eat all the Baja Fresh tacos you like, drink some Beano Vino coffee, get a VFE massage and enjoy the XTERRA racing scene.  Experience the massive backcountry on these extremely satisfying trail half marathon and 6k trail runs. Get Tickets: HERE.

 

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Rodeo Realty Events: 2019 Holiday Party

To celebrate the stellar year that 2019 was… Rodeo Realty’s founder, Syd Leibovitch, threw a grand holiday party for all of the agents and staff on the team. The private event took place at BOA Steakhouse in West Hollywood. The event was set to host more than 1,000 individuals.

Upon arrival, invitees were personally greeted by Rodeo’s Branch Managers before checking in. Then, guests had the opportunity to take photos on the step and repeat (otherwise known as the red carpet) with members of Rodeo’s Digital Marketing Team. This was all to be done before immersing themselves into the 13,000 square-foot restaurant.

Once inside, there were multiple bars with free-flowing drinks and waiters constantly passing around hors d’oeuvres. From chicken sliders (this year is undoubtably the year of the fried chicken sandwich) to wagyu beef sliders to freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, the food at BOA did not disappoint.

It was a fantastic event that wrapped up the end of the year.

Take a peek at more of the photos from the event HERE!

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Weekend Events: Holiday Edition

Looking for great things to check out during your Holiday weekend? We’ve got you covered from ice-skating under the sun to snow days in LA to all of the festive happenings at our local theme parks. This weekend is filled with fun holiday events that keep the spirit going for everyone in the family. Check them out below!

Friday December 27th, 2019

Queen Mary Christmas

LOCATION:  Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802)

WHEN: 6:00 PM-10:00 PM

TICKETS:  HERE 

The Queen Mary invites you to embrace the holiday spirit at the Queen Mary Christmas celebration. Begin your adventure at the outdoor North Pole Village, which includes ice skating at the True North Ice Rink, circling a 26-ft Christmas tree. Next, jump aboard the QM Express Train or the Grand Carousel. Don’t miss out on the performers, gingerbread house making, stocking decorating, or a sweet treat as you watch live entertainment on the outdoor stage before climbing aboard the Queen Mary to take in the enchanting festive lights.

Friday December 27th, 2019

Snow Day LA

LOCATION: The Old Lodge at Montecillo De Leo Politi Park (located on Stadium between Scott Road & Academy Road)

WHEN: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM (also taking place at the same time on Saturday & Sunday)

TICKETS: HERE

Snow Day LA is a winter wonderland in Elysian Park featuring snow tubing, a captivating new Crystal Winter Garden including 30 plus giant glowing crystals, an interactive light-show where guests control the lights with musical instruments, an animated penguin holiday-themed light path, and even a giant glowing mountain light show! The event also includes food trucks, snacks and hot drinks. Tickets start at $12, with optional Penguin VIP Pass.

Friday December 27th, 2019

HOLIDAY IN THE PARK

LOCATION: Six Flags Magic Mountain (26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355)

WHEN: 10:30 AM to 9:00 PM (also taking place at the same time on Saturday & Sunday but Sunday ends at 8:00 PM)

TICKETS: HERE

Six Flags Magic Mountain lights up your holidays as the park transforms into a magical winter wonderland. Featuring festive shows, activities, and seasonal treats. Noteworthy experiences you must participate in are the… personalized meet-and-greet with Santa and his helpers, making s’mores in the fire pit, and watching the Winter Wonderland lightshow.

Saturday December 28th, 2019

Experience floats before they debut in the 2020 Rose Parade!

LOCATION: (1001 Rose Bowl Drive Pasadena, CA 91103)

WHEN: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (also taking place at the same time form 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM on Sunday)

TICKETS:  HERE

This one’s a local gem. Have you ever wanted to see how those amazing floats come together? Check out the magic of the floats before they make their debut in the 2020 Rose Parade. During the final stages of preparation, you are able to witness a variety of seeds, bark, fruits, vegetables, grass, and (of course) flowers, get applied to the floats. Experience these professionals at work.

Saturday December 28th, 2019

Holiday Ice Rink

LOCATION: Pershing Square (532 S Olive St, Los Angeles, CA 90013)

WHEN: Daily

TICKETS: HERE

 You can’t miss out on LA’s most popular holiday tradition! Ice skating is available at the various outdoor locations throughout the city. However, the Pershing Square location is one of the most popular. Take advantage of the Los Angeles winter weather and skate on a sunny afternoon. To really embrace the “winter” in LA, bundle up and enjoy the crisp night air while skating under the stars and lights of the city!

Saturday December 28th, 2019

Experience The Magic of The Holidays in Harry Potter’s World

LOCATION: Universal Studios Hollywood (100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608)

WHEN: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

TICKETS: HERE

See Hogsmeade transformed with festive décor and enchanting spirits! Also, go and experience the magic of the holiday at Hogwarts Castle featuring festive lights and music that were produced specifically for the holidays. This immersive experience includes Holiday Frog Choir and Harry Potter-themed holiday food and gifts. Whether you’re a Harry Potter fan or not, you’ll appreciate the care to detail they put into bringing you into this world at this special time of year.

Sunday December 29th, 2019

Yuletide Cinemaland – Heritage Square Museum

LOCATION: Heritage Square Museum (3800 Homer St, Los Angeles, CA 90031)

WHEN: 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Explore picturesque Victorian-era homes at Heritage Square Museum authentically dressed for the holidays, join piano sing-alongs in the Perry Mansion ballroom, sign up for Scrooge’s Victorian Dance Lessons in the old church, and experience the Holiday Light Tunnel. Each event features two outdoor holiday movie screenings in the middle of the historic town square at Heritage Square.

Sunday December 29th, 2019

Enchanted: Forest of Light at Descanso Gardens

 LOCATION: 1418 Descanso Dr. La Canada Flintridge, CA 91011

WHEN: 5:30 PM and 10:00 PM (also taking place at the same time on Friday and Saturday)

TICKETS: Can only be purchased for members but you can get tickets at the gate.

Enchanted Forest of Light is an original interactive, nighttime experience unlike any other festive lighting show in Los Angeles. The main attraction is a one-mile walk through a unique lighting experience in the Descanso Gardens. There are a variety of large-scale light displays, many of which are interactive, allowing visitors to manipulate the lights and sounds.

Sunday December 29th, 2019

Bob Baker Marionette Theater’s Holiday Classics Show

 LOCATION: Miracle Mile Toy Hall (5464 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90036)

WHEN: 11:00 AM – 11:30 PM

TICKETS: HERE

How about something small, but big picture? Bob Baker Marionette Theater returns to the Miracle Mile Toy Hall with a special show of our favorite holiday classics! Check out a heartfelt puppet show followed by a meet and greet with your favorite puppets. This is vintage LA at its very best – truly a great time for the kids!

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Out & About: Melrose Avenue

Melrose Avenue is one of L.A.’s most famous streets, featuring a medley of dining, entertainment, and shopping destinations. The street begins at Santa Monica Boulevard where the cities of West Hollywood and Beverly Hills meet. Start your day off by shopping at the world-famous boutiques, enjoy lunch at one of the numerous top-ranked eateries and end the night by laughing yourself silly at The Parlor featuring newcomers and famous comedians or enjoy the many art galleries the famous street has to offer!

Gallery 1988 (Art)
Location: 7308 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90046

Gallery 1988 has continued to host awesome exhibitions focused on pop culture after launching the “iam8bit” art shows. Since opening in 2004, the gallery has mounted solo shows by popular artists like Luke Cheuh, Joe Ledbetter and Mike Mitchell. In 2007 they opened a second location further up Melrose!

 

The Parlor (Comedy)
Location: 7350 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90046

Booker and producer Jay Davis knows how to put together a solid lineup, often getting his famous buddies to come down for a show but also giving chances to funny unknows on the same stage. If you stop by this upscale bar on a Monday, grab a cocktail sit back and enjoy the show!

 

The Reformation (Shopping)
Location: 8253 Melrose Ave Los Angeles, CA 90048

Designer Yael Afalo takes diamonds in the rough and makes them shine, cutting vintage garb and surplus fabric into modern silhouettes, from cropped blouses to breezy maxi dresses and shorts.

JapanLA (Shopping)
Location:  7320 ½ Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046

The cute culture shop on Melrose specializes in Japanese crossover collections. It’s a go-to destination for products from kawaii brands like tokidoki, Sanrio, San-X and Pokémon as well as occasional pop-up collections

Paul Smith Los Angeles
Location: 8221 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046

A “so British” atmosphere is cultivated with old books, wood paneling, and antiques. But most know this outpost for its electric pink exterior, one of the hot spots for instagrammers.

Helmut Lang
Location: 8808 Melrose Avenue. Los Angeles, CA 90069

Shop for modern pieces for men and women, mostly in black, white and cool neutral colors. The Helmut Lang was created by Austrian fashion designer Helmut Lang in 1986. The Helmut Lang brand still exists today without Lang’s involvement since 2005.

Crumbs & Whiskers
Location: 7924 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046

This cat-friendly coffee stop has set up the first permanent operation in the city Founder Kanchan Singh describes the D.C. based café as a place where you can grab a cup of coffee and cuddle with some cats. There is a small catch: you can’t prepare food in the same place as you house animals. So, Crumbs & Whiskers sources its drinks and snacks from the nearby Open Space.

 

Hollywood Improv

Location: 8162 Melrose Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90046

The flagship Improv on Melrose is one of the most legendary clubs in Los Angeles, as well as all of America. On any given night, walk in to see one of your favorite comics from TV at the bar, the acts are never a letdown! The shows are an exciting mix of independently produced, and experimental with frequent appearances by respected and well-known comedians.

Blue Jam Café
Location: 7371 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046

At Blue Jam Café, your table will be worth the wait with the best eggs benedict in town and delicious mouthwatering French toast. The Melrose location as been open since 2006, its fantastic service adds a neighborhood feel to the chain.

Tatsu Ramen
Location: 7111 Melrose Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90046

Tatsu Ramen brings traditional Japanese ramen to LA. Tatsu means dragon in Japanese and Ryu (the owner) being born in the Year of the Dragon, found the perfect name for his restaurant. Walking into Tatsu is like walking into the future. Rather than waiting in a long line at the counter, smart tables line the interior wall. Each customer places their order from the simple menu, which gives you an option to choose from six different ramen, 3 rice side dishes, pork bums and most recently the ramen burger!

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Out & About: Places to Give Back This Holiday Season

Family time, presents, bright lights, and plenty of delicious food to go around the table are what we know as the holidays. However, many people are not so fortunate, especially here in Los Angeles where the homelessness crisis has continued to worsen over the last year. From cooking meals to spending time with terminally ill children, to donating baby supplies to parents in need. Your helping hands and most importantly your time and smile are needed to brighten up the holiday season for someone this year!

Midnight Mission

Downtown’s midnight mission offers counseling education, and job placement to the city’s homeless population, as well as food, shelter, personal hygiene, and medical care. For the holidays, the Mission holds special events in addition to regular meal services and food donation drives. Note: Midnight Mission asks that female volunteers come with a companion since this is an all-male facility.

Union Station Homeless Services

San Gabriel Valley’s largest social services agency, offers year-round community meal programs and other services for the area’s homeless population: including emergency shelter, children’s education and recreational activity and adult classes in parenting, nutrition, and money management. Union Station Homeless Services has also hosted Dinner in the Park for over four decades, named the biggest potluck in the nation by the Los Angeles Times: This organization helps give warm holiday meals to more than 7,000 homeless, low income, and senior citizens.

Fred Jordan Mission

The Fred Jordan Mission has provided clothing, blankets, and food to the homeless for more than 50 years. For the holidays, volunteers hand out food bags, toys and blankets, and sing carols!

Food on Foot

Donating gently used clothing, shoes, blankets as well as food! You can sign up to volunteer anytime, and it usually costs $25 (which serves as funds to feed about five people per day).

L.A. Regional Food Bank

Come help distribute food this holiday season with L.A. Regional Food Bank. Volunteers are needed for special events, food sorting, and food drives: including the organization’s yearly Operation Gobble, where volunteers will help inspect, sort and repackage food for delivery during the holiday.

Holidays From the Heart (CHLA)

This program aims to lighten up the holidays for chronically ill children and their families. There are a number of ways you can help, including sponsoring a family or providing bulk gift items (clothing, diapers, making a monetary donation, or serving as a volunteer (shopping for gifts, distributing gifts).

Baby2Baby

This organization works year-round to ensure that no child is without the basic necessities of childhood; accepting donations all year long for items that will benefit children (infants to age 12) including but not limited to car seats, clothing (children’s and maternity), hygiene items (toothpaste, soap, sunscreen), coats, and more.

Crayon Collection

Upcycle gently used crayons, providing children with crayons and saving our landfills. Being a part of Crayon Collection allows families with children of all ages an easy way to volunteer and make a difference.

Brighten the Holidays (Salvation Army)

This program helps families who are experiencing hard times due to unemployment, medical issues, homelessness or other challenges. From generously providing family dinners to donating toys to put under the tree, help the Salvation Army lend a hand with holiday events to those who need it most.

 

 

 

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Tech News: Streaming Wars… What To Watch And What Is The Price?

The next few years will be marked as “revolutionary” for anything in regards to entertainment and television. Almost every big television platform is going to launch their own streaming service to compete with the three largest tech giants: Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu. Here’s what you need to know about the new and existing players in a game of the television Streaming Wars!

 

Netflix

Price: $8.99 for its basic plan, $12.99 for standard, and $15.99 for premium

What it offers: Netflix is arguably the streaming king of them all thanks to an expanding archive of content and global subscriber base that is 150 million strong. Netflix’s library includes its original series such as “Stranger Things,” “The Witcher” and “The Umbrella Academy,” plus original films like “Always Be My Maybe” and the Oscar-winning “Roma.” It also has comedy specials from the likes of Dave Chappelle, Netflix Originals like Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis, upcoming films from Martin Scorsese and Michael Bay and series from Shonda Rhimes and Ryan Murphy — two of television’s most successful producers. Netflix is losing beloved classics like “Friends” and “The Office” to competitors, but it’s now the exclusive global streaming home to “Seinfeld” starting in 2021. So, yes, Netflix may have competition waiting at the gates, but it’s still synonymous with streaming.

 

Apple TV+

Price: $4.99 a month or a free year when you purchase a new iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Mac or Apple TV.

What it offers: Apple TV+ may be short on content, but it undercuts many of its streaming competitors in price with its $4.99 monthly fee (and you get a year free when you buy a new Apple product from Apple or licensed retailers). Apple TV+ also includes content from some heavy-hitters in Hollywood. There’s “The Morning Show,” a series about the news industry starring Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carrell (CNN’s Brian Stelter is a consultant on the project, for which his book was used as background). Apple also struck a multiyear deal with Oprah Winfrey in June of 2018 to create documentaries and a book club.

 

Disney+

Price: $6.99 or $12.99 when bundled with ESPN+ and commercial-supported Hulu

What it offers: Disney+ is the exclusive home for some of the most popular franchises in Hollywood for a low price. While Apple is promoting names like Oprah, Disney+ has brand names like Star Wars and Marvel. There are multiple series from Marvel, a few original Star Wars series including “The Mandalorian,” Pixar films and shorts, Disney animated classics, and documentaries from National Geographic. The service is also the exclusive home to all 30 seasons of “The Simpsons” — TV’s longest running primetime scripted series. Much of Disney+ caters to children, but that’s still a lot of content for $6.99 – about half of what Netflix charges for its standard plan.

 

HBO Max

Price: $14.99 a month

When does it launch?: May 2020

What it offers: HBO Max’s best selling point is it’s variety. The upcoming service from WarnerMedia, which also owns CNN, has content for all ages — Looney Tunes, Hanna-Barbera, Cartoon Network and “Sesame Street” for the young and HBO series, TNT and TBS for adults. All 23 seasons of “South Park” will also be exclusive to the service. For cinephiles, HBO Max offers Warner Brothers’ deep film library, The Criterion Collection and Turner Classic Movies. The service will also have television favorites such as “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air” and “The Big Bang Theory.” The iconic “Friends,” which Warner Bros. had licensed to Netflix, is coming home to WarnerMedia and will live exclusively on HBO Max for five years starting in 2020.

HBO Max has also successfully courted J.J. Abrams in a wide-ranging production deal with WarnerMedia, as well as Greg Berlanti and Reese Witherspoon, who will produce original films for the service.

 

Hulu

Price: $11.99 without ads, $5.99 with ads

What it offers: Hulu has the Emmy Award winning “The Handmaid’s Tale,” current television episodes available on-demand (the day after they air), and is now fully controlled by Disney. The service, which has 28 million subscribers, has greenlit a bunch of new series including “The Dropout,” a limited series about rise and fall of Theranos CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, that stars Kate McKinnon as Holmes, as well as two new live-action Marvel series, “Ghost Rider” and “Helstrom.” Hulu is a big part of Disney’s streaming strategy along with ESPN+, which the company plans to bundle together.

 

Peacock

Price: TBD

When does it launch?: April 2020

What it offers: Do you like to laugh? Well, NBCUniversal has the streaming service for you. Peacock will offer a full lineup of comedy hits including “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation” (both of which will be exclusive to the service) “30 Rock,” “Cheers,” “Frasier” and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine.” Every season of “SNL” will be available on Peacock and there will be reboots of classic series like “Saved by the Bell” and “Battlestar Galactica.” Peacock will have blockbusters from Universal Pictures such as the “Fast & Furious” series and classics like “Jaws” and “Back to the Future.” Universal, Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation will also create original films for the service, and Alec Baldwin and Demi Moore will star in original series as well.

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LA Eats: Los Angeles Farmers Markets Edition

Fresh fruits, homemade soaps, local sweet honey, eggs straight from the farm to crisp vegetables! Los Angeles has farmers’ markets all over the metropolitan area for your shopping convenience! Check out this list we put together by area for you!

Valley

Calabasas

When: Saturdays from 8 am to 1 pm

Where: 23504 Calabasas Road, Calabasas, CA 91302

Encino

When: Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm

Where: 17400 Victory Blvd, Van Nuys, CA 91406

Northridge

When: Wednesdays 5 pm to 9 pm

Where: 9301 Tampa Ave, Northridge, CA 91324

Sherman Oaks

When: Tuesdays 3pm to 8 pm

Where: 14006 Riverside Dr. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Burbank

When: Saturdays from 8 am to 12:30 pm

Where: 101 N Glenoaks Blvd. Burbank, CA 91502

Westside

Melrose Place

When: Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm

Where: 8248 Melrose Pl. Los Angeles, CA 90046

 

Beverly Hills 

When: Sundays from 9 am to 1pm

Where: 9300 Civil Center Dr. Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Century City

When: Thursdays from 10 am to 2 pm

Where: 10100 Santa Monica Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90067

 

Hollywood

When: Sundays from 8 am to 1 pm

Where: 1600 Ivar Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90028

Santa Monica

When: Sundays from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm

Where: 2640 Main St. Los Angeles, CA 90405

Marina Del Rey

When: Wednesdays from 11 am to 3 pm

Where: Vía Marina &, Panay Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292

Los Angeles 

Historic Downtown

When: Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm

Where: 209 W 5th St. Los Angeles, CA 90013

 

Pershing Square

When: Wednesdays 10 am to 2 pm

Where: 532 S. Olive St

 

Crenshaw

When: Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm

Where: 350 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd

Central Avenue

When: Thursdays from 10 am to 3 pm

Where: 4301 S Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90011

 

Echo Park

When: Fridays from 3 pm to 7:30 pm

Where: 1146 Logan St. Los Angeles, CA 90026

 

 

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