Category: activities

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Weekend Events: December 13 – December 15

Enjoy the weekend before the hustle and bustle of the holidays with these fun-filled events! Help Mickey look for clues in his search for Tinker Bell on ice or have a snowball fight with the kids in Los Angeles’ very own Winter Wonderland. From live performances to holiday markets and parades, we’ve got it all covered for you.

 

Friday December 13, 2019

Disney on Ice: Mickey’s Search Party Los Angeles
Location: STAPLES Center
When: 7:30 pm

 

Join Mickey Mouse and his friends at this brand-new adventure filled with world-class skating, high-flying acrobatics, and unexpected stunts! Help them follow Captain Hook’s treasure map and look for clues in the search for Tinker Bell! Make precious memories with your whole family during Aladdin,  Toy Story, and Little Mermaid as the search party becomes an all-out magical celebration on the ice, in the air, and all around!

Los Angeles Philharmonic
Location: Walt Disney Concert Hall
111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
When: 11 am

 

LA Phil features Michael Tilson Thomas as the conductor and Daniil Trifonov as the pianist. Trifonov has the reputation of taking a beloved classic like Tchaikovsky’s popular Piano Concerto and imbuing it with fresh new life. L.A. favorite Michael Tilson Thomas also leads Copland’s Third Symphony, built on the composer’s stirring Fanfare for the Common Man.

Taco Tour
Location: 1001 N. Alameda St. Los Angeles, CA
When: 10:30 am

 

During this bicycle tour, you will be taken to what we consider are some of LA’s best taco spots. You will experience a taco tour of Los Angeles that takes your body and taste buds on an unforgettable ride to some of LA’s hidden gems. This tour rides through different neighborhoods, historic sites, and they’ll stop at various taco stands and trucks so you can experience one of LA’s most popular on the go foods.

Saturday December 14, 2019

 

Winter Wonderland
Location: Baldwin Hills Crenshaw
3650 West Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 9008
When: 3 pm- 7 pm

 

Winter Wonderland is an opportunity for families across City Council District 8 to meet each other and celebrate the holidays with some fun in the snow! Councilmember Marqeece Harris-Dawson and Baldwin Hills Crenshaw invite you to join a day of holiday celebrations including music, food, and a toy giveaway. Performances begin at 4:30 pm, Grammy-nominated soul singer and songwriter Marsha Ambrosius will headline the free holiday concert. You won’t want to miss out on this!

Moonlight Forest Lantern Art Festival
Location: Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
301 North Baldwin Avenue Arcadia, CA 91007
When: 5:30-10pm

 

The 2019 festival will be more spectacular than ever with dazzling new lanterns and interactive experiences. Children will find bright circular swings and other interactive delights in Children’s World. Visit your family, friends, and holiday guests for a highly memorable evening.

 

Marina Del Rey Holiday Boat Parade
 Location: 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA 90292
When: 5:30 – 7:00 pm

 

Arrive early to grab a spot on the lawn at Chace photo or a good photo spot at Fisherman’s Village, two of the most popular viewing places. The 2019 parade theme is “Kids Make Holidays Bright”. A brief firework show at 5:55 pm announces the start of the parade, which lasts until about 8 pm.

Sunday December 15, 2019

The Nutcracker
Location: Royce Hall-UCLA
10745 Dickson Court Los Angeles, CA 90095
Time: 12 pm

 

Los Angeles Ballet continually brings exciting ballet productions in Los Angeles, and their annual Nutcracker is no exception. In this production, LAB has stayed true to their classical roots with a little spin: the show is set in LA in 1912. This LAB performs The Nutcracker at five different venues throughout the Southland, so there’s plenty of opportunities to catch a performance without having to sit in too much traffic.

 

 

Unique LA Holiday Market
Location: Santa Monica Pier, Downtown Santa Monica

The annual holiday market features clothes, accessories, and art pieces from a number of quality handmade brands. Check out local products and rub elbows with the different designers and artists showcasing their work.

Frozen
Location: Pantages Theatre, Hollywood
6233 Hollywood Boulevard
Time: 1pm and 6:30 pm

 

Do you want to build a…rainy day fund to save up for tickets to a smash hit Disney-inspired Broadway musical? Good, because Frozen is coming to L.A. The Broadway musical based on the 2013 animated Disney film, will kick off a national tour with strong fall 2019 performances at Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre.

 

 

 

 

 

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Home Tips: Level Up Your Holiday Door Decor

Holiday door decor is not necessarily at the top of your list of things to decorate during the holidays.  However, a well put together door speaks volumes to those who pass it by. There is some sort of energy influence that a well-decorated doorway has over those who acknowledge it.  Using decorations like wreaths, garlands, lights and decorative window art will have your whole neighborhood in awe. There’s no better way to welcome family and friends to your home this season.

Frost The Glass

Visitors will be in awe of these instant etchings – vines and fauna. As intricate as it looks, this artwork is easy to create! Start by printing out a template of choice, which comes in sections, onto paper. Trace onto the back of white vinyl using transfer paper, cut out designs with scissors, and align to form the larger design. Static holds the pieces in place on a glass or mirrored surface without the need for adhesive, so you can reuse this snowy silhouette for years to come. Talk about eco-friendly.

Dazzle with Evergreen Stars

Think of the front exterior of your home as a blank canvas. Pictured here, these eight-point stars are staggered, making the front door its focal point. Evergreens are formed on simple bases made from wooden strips; using varieties like rosemary, juniper, cedar, boxwood or white spruce. (Tip: When choosing cuttings, opt for cedar, which can withstand wintry weather). You can also gather trimmings from your backyard.

Keep it Pretty and Practical

Even the smallest front porch and its door can be an efficient use of space. On this front porch are the most important items: sturdy boots, firewood, extra pinecones, and moss for the weekend projects. The lush wreath requires no complicated tools for assembly – just floral shears and wire.

Upcycle Your Treasures

Among all the holiday guests who come flocking to your door, none are as charming as the feathered ones who already inhabit your backyard. An idea that caters to them is easy: Prop a weather-worn basket onto the door with a bundle of greenery and perhaps a pinecone or two coated with peanut butter as a special treat for the birds? Sit back with a cup of hot chocolate and watch the show from your window.

Add Greenery and Shine

Wreaths are considered the darling of any front door, but why not exaggerate its grandeur with a trailing greenery of laurel branches and silver baubles. For a cohesive look, you can enliven an urn or potted planter that’s empty for the winter with any leftovers of laurel and a gazing ball.

Invite Familiar Characters

Charm and tradition go hand in hand for the holiday season. At this holiday open house in Wilmington, North Carolina, the front door is decked out in merry red and green colors. On either side: ribbon-tied topiaries with poinsettias, glass lanterns and a larger-than-life Nutcracker standing at attention.

Craft a Whole New World

The most well-decorated front door offers your house guests a few telling clues about what awaits them inside. Outside, a welcoming sight of mushrooms, woodland gnomes and bottlebrush animals greet those who approach to enter.

Get the Party Started

If you’re playing hostess to a crowd, here’s a sweet idea to greet your guests: roll out a bar with your signature cocktail and a few decorative elements. At this whimsical holiday party, a life-size Nutcracker stands nearby, offering a fun photo-opp as people enter the party. And if you didn’t the transformative power of paint, just check out that cotton-candy pink hue.

***Most of these projects have an added advantage: the structural underpinnings can be saved and reused. After the holidays, you can dismantle the displays, discard the faded greenery and save the base decoration. Next year, when winter returns once more, you can unpack your creations and dress up your doorway for the holiday season. Ideas sourced from Martha Stewart.

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LA Eats: Where to Brunch With Your Family In Town

Your family is in town for the holidays.  There are so many places to show them in our city, and even more places to take them to eat. We’ve got you covered as far as LA’s most quintessential brunch places they need to try.

Kismet

The flaky bread that Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson serve at Kismet along with a soft-boiled egg and labneh is very good day or night, but somehow especially fantastic for brunch. Add a scone with lemon cream and maybe some cinnamon babka toast and one is likely all set.

Salt’s Cure

Thoughtfully sourced, California-grown ingredients form the foundation of Chris Phelp’s cooking at Salt’s Cure. Brunch is especially fantastic with things like biscuits and gravy, as well as oatmeal griddle cakes, on the menu.

Sqirl

Sqirl may very well be LA’s quintessential brunch. Come early, order the brioche toast with four different jams and the sorrel pesto rice bowl, and leave with a full understanding of the hype surrounding the place. Seriously. Come early. The line gets LONG, but it is SO worth it.

Republique

Get your hands on their Margarita Manzke’s crazy delicious pastries and fill up with brunch favorites like brioche French toast and kimchi fried rice.

The Rose Venice

Venice denizens arrive at The Rose in droves on weekend mornings for Jason Neroni’s pitch-perfect cooking. Particularly good is the wide range of pastries that pair nicely with the restaurant’s exceptional coffee. Many individuals with short layovers at LAX are known to take a cab to The Rose for brunch, and risk missing their connecting flight for this food. Yep. That good.

Sweet Butter Kitchen

Sweet Butter is an airy, brunch-y rustic cafe spot that has some delicious vegan options (highly recommend the Vegan PB cookie). It’s a rarity in the Valley and worth a visit if you happen to be over the hill from LA proper. You order at a counter and then pick a seat in the sun-lit central patio, which isn’t overly spacious, but isn’t crowded either.

Little Dom’s

Your favorite pasta haven is also a secret breakfast destination. There is never a wait. Pop in for Italian-leaning specialities like ricotta cheese pancakes with fresh blueberries, scrambled egg bruschetta, breakfast pizza, and breakfast meatballs with poached eggs.

Blu Jam

Crunchy French Toast. That’s all. Blu Jam keeps opening new locations (they even just opened a Tokyo location), but that hasn’t seemed to ease the crowds. Prepare to settle in for a bit of a wait for a table at the no-reservations cafés, but have faith that your patience will ultimately be rewarded.

Go Get Em Tiger

Most folks make their way to Go Get ‘Em Tiger for the coffee, which remains among the best in town. But if you’re planning to sit for a spell and enjoy your drink, maybe you should have something to eat too, right? To sate you, they have one of the best breakfast sandwiches in LA. The attention to detail that goes into every single plate out of their kitchen is clear. I mean, look at these eggs on that flaky biscuit.

Jon & Vinny’s

Do you like pizza? Do you like breakfast? Well, Jon and Vinny have a little something just for you, and it’s called breakfast pizza. And while, ok, they may not have invented the idea, they have pretty much perfected it — and then gone and created five different versions. Don’t forget to order a bombolone doughnut to go along. Also, their pancakes. Yep. They did it again.

Poppy + Rose

Poppy & Rose brings some Southern and soul food touches to dishes like pulled pork hash, rib-tip breakfast burritos, and their signature, buttermilk fried chicken and waffles with smoked honey butter.

Homestate

Don’t need to fly all the way to Austin to find breakfast tacos! Homestate is your spot in the Los Angeles area! Truly. Just as good. Flour Tortillas are a must. Queso too.

Malibu Farm

Another classic. Enjoy a farm to table brunch with your family with the amazing views of Malibu. Get their early to get parking and avoid the wait. There are two locations on the SAME pier. Same menu. Winning!

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Weekend Events: December 6 – December 8

With the holidays just a short time away, you won’t want to miss out on these events to get you in the mood! From fun-filled events like live performances at Wallis Annenberg to beautiful museum exhibits at LACMA!

Friday December 6, 2019

Handmade Ornaments Show

Location: iam8nit, Echo Park

Artists from around the world have crafted hundreds of original ornaments in an assortment of mediums, from plush to metal, and most are affordably priced. The pop-up market kicks off with an opening reception on December 5 (7-10pm) and continues during regular gallery hours through December 22.

For The Record: Love Actually Live

Location: Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills

Throughout December, cult-favorite musical series For the Record presents a stage show based on one of the world’s most beloved holiday movies, Love Actually. Using a multimedia set, a 15-piece orchestra and songs from the film, the show will turn Beverly Hills’ Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts into a feel-good winter set for musical numbers and scenes of the movie’s intersecting love stories.

“Shirin Neshat: I Will Greet the Sun Again”

Location: The Broad, Downtown

This exhibition will make you angry, angry about the subjugation of women around the world, angry over entire populations being unwelcome to their own homelands and angry that such a beautiful body of work from Shirin Neshat hasn’t been on display in Los Angeles before. Covering 30 years of the Iranian-born artist’s photo and video works the Broad is a must-see.

Saturday December 7, 2019

“Julie Mehretu”

Location: LACMA

A co-presentation with New York’s Whitney Museum of American Art, LACMA takes a first-ever mid-career look at the Ethiopian-American artist’s striking large-scale abstractions, with 35 paintings and 40 works on paper.

Artisanal LA Holiday City Market

Location: Multiple Venus

L.A. markets is a 30 vendor pop-up at Bunker Hill’s Bank of America Plaza, a gathering of 75- plus markets in the parking lot behind the Pasadena Playhouse.

Sparkle DTLA

Location: THE BLOC

Sparkle LA is setting up shop at the Bloc through the end of December, and it’s bringing a bunch of programming along with it, including a holiday card and wreath making workshops.

Sunday December 8, 2019

W | ALLS: Defend, Divide, and the Divine

Location: Annenberg Space for Photography

The latest challenging exhibition from the Annenberg Space for Photography examines the real and imagined barriers that have separated societies and ideas for centuries, from the Roman Empire to the U.S.-Mexico border.

 

“Loitering is Delightful”

Location: Barnsdall Art Park & Hollyhock House, Los Feliz

Loitering is delightful celebrates the process of taking your time and enjoying your surroundings without any particular aim.

 

Rose Bowl Flea Market

Location: Rose Bowl

The world-famous Rose Bowl Flea Market takes place on the second Sunday of every month! Come shop from over 2,500 vendors selling everything from coveted antiques, rare vintage finds, and today’s most up-to-date trends!

 

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Home Tips: Easy Decoration Ideas That’ll Holiday Up Your Home

This holiday season, consider these charming touches when decking out your own halls. Classic in inspiration and modern in execution, they bring cheer to nearly every room in the house and are as easy to implement as one, two, three.

Cue the Conifers

Make your mantel look amazing with a colorful assortment of vintage and inexpensive evergreens. The bottle-brush variety are readily available online and at craft stores; the miniature ones were plucked from a model train set. Votives make the snow-dusted landscape sparkle.

Jingle all the Way

To make comings and goings much more festive, gather a variety of craft-store bells and string them onto two loops of wire. Mold them into a cluster shape, twist the ends of the loops together and tie a big bow. Hang the ornament from a doorknob with a piece of cord.

Fake a Flame

Enjoy candlelight without the fire hazard by placing LED votives on windowsills, mantels, and stairs!

Stock up on Stockings

Nope, they’re not just for kids. These John Robshaw beauties add texture and color to any space and can be put to new use. Fill sachets with fallen pine needles, tuck them inside the stockings and perfume your home in a stealth way.

Go out with a Bang

Christmas crackers date back to mid-19th– century Great Britain. These crackers are prettily wrapped cylinders that hold tiny gifts and emit a loud pop when pulled apart. Place a pile in a bowl by your front door and send guests home with a jolly, fun party favor.

Spread the Love

Rather than tucking mistletoe in a doorway, make family meals warn and fuzzy with an overhead centerpiece. Wrap wreath frame with fresh eucalyptus and faux mistletoe (toxins in the real berries can harm kids and pets) and attach ornaments with floral wire.

Light the Way

To set up this modern menorah, arrange eight bud vases in a row, with a taller one in the middle, and place tapers inside. For added stability, put a bit of candle glue in the bottom of each vase. Post-holiday repurpose the vessels for greenery or small garden clippings.

Count Down TO HOLIDAY OF YOUR CHOICE

The whimsical Advent calendar comes together in a few basic steps. First, paint a two-by-four foot pegboard slat; let dry overnight. Using stencils, craft paint and a brush or sponge, paint the numbers you would need on muslin gift bags; let dry overnight.

The next day, evenly space small wooden pegs in the board; fill the bags with little toys, candy and handwritten messages and hang the bags in order. Then, just place it on a console table or ledge, lean it against the wall (or mount it, if you have small children), and let the anticipation build to your favorite holiday.

**IDEAS Sourced from MarthaStewart.com
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Weekend Events: November 29 – December 1

Holidays are around the corner and it is time to enjoy some time with your family, but if you will find some time to explore Check out some current weekend events happening in t Los Angeles area.

Thursday, November 26th, 2019

MOONLIGHT MADNESS AT cITADEL OUTLETS

Shop deals on deals at one of LA’s most concentrated shopping centers. The Citadel Outlets offer over 130 different brands in their center. While pausing to rest and refuel between deals, shoppers are invited to pose for holiday photos in front of the World’s Tallest Live-Cut Christmas Tree adorned with over 18,000 twinkling lights. They are also encouraged to donate a new, unwrapped toy in the toy drive bins at the Customer Service Center. You can even snap a shot of the World’s Biggest Bow from the palm tree-lined Citadel Outlets Drive.

Friday, November 27th, 2019

Friday Night Flights at GRAND CENTRAL MARET

Join Angels Flight Railway and select Grand Central Market vendors every Friday for a true DTLA experience with a flight of drinks or light bites and round trip ride on the historic Angels Flight. Every Friday · 12 PM – 10 PM Tickets for Friday Night Flights can be purchased on site at the following Grand Central Market business: DTLA Cheese – Golden Road Brewery – Horse Thief BBQ – The Oyster Gourmet.

Friday, November 27th, 2019

VIEWS Friday Night Swim at SkyBar In The Mondrian Hotel

Party Tonight LA is proud to present its new weekly party VIEWS: Friday night at Skybar featuring great music, an amazing crowd, & the best view of the entire city! Doors open at 9 pm & the party rages on until closing at 2 am. If you want a night out surrounded by Hollywood’s most beautiful and interesting people, perhaps to run into a few well known faces, then you need to check out the SkyBar, one of LA’s best celebrity bars, with all the luxury and class that the city is known for.

Saturday & Sunday, November 28/29th, 2019

los Angeles Auto Show at Convention Center

Drift into the Convention Center for the 10-day L.A. Auto Show with cars that would even make Bond drool. If you’re a car nerd, get behind the wheel to test drive one of the cherry rides, while celebrities meet and greet at the manufacturer exhibits.

Saturday & Sunday, November 28/29th, 2019

Gabba Gallery’s Wishlist at Westlake

Each year, HiFi’s Gabba Gallery presents a gallery show with works that are all actually affordable. Prices start at just $50—a steal for a quality piece of art—and never exceed $1,000. But you’ll have to move quickly: Once a piece is bought, it’s immediately removed from the wall and replaced with another. This year’s show, the seventh annual one, kicks off with an opening celebration on November 16 (7–11pm) and then runs through December 21.

Saturday, November 29th, 2019

Festy Baby at lodge room

Festy Baby is back for its 3rd year in a row! An annual mini music & arts festival that supports local artists and gives back to our local community. Festy Baby was founded in 2017 by Ashley Elizabeth of Baby Collective. This year 25% of ticket proceeds will benefit Renaissance Arts Academy, a non-profit, tuition-free K-12 public school focused on the arts.

Sunday, November 30th, 2019

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Gateway is the exclusive travel planner of the Hollywood Christmas Parade, a nationally-televised event that has kicked off the holiday season for over 80 years. Each year, selected marching bands play their way up and down iconic Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, spreading holiday cheer along with nearly 100 celebrities. The parade takes place annually the Sunday following Thanksgiving Day.

Sunday, November 30th, 2019

Explore Metro Art, explore Los Angeles! – Union Station

Metro Art Moves is a free series of regularly scheduled and special tours of artwork in the Metro Rail system. Regular tours are led by trained Metro Art Docent Council volunteers and provide insights into the artworks, artists and art-making processes. Special tours heighten the passenger experience in novel and engaging ways through the perspective, experience and knowledge of artists and cultural experts. Tours are free. Reservations are not required but are appreciated.

Sunday, November 30th, 2019

The Rock ‘N’ Roll Flea Market at the regent

The first Sunday of every month. $2 cover, Free if you eat at Prufrock. The RnR Flea will bring together a collection of impressive hand-picked vendors including vintage collections and antiquities dealers, vintage clothing, jewelry makers, music memorabilia, vinyl, local food vendors, food trucks, craftsmen and used musical instruments dealers.

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Home Tips: 8 Ways To Elevate Your Thanksgiving Tablescape

What makes a Thanksgiving table memorable to the guests? At first you may think it would be the turkey or other holiday fixings. However, it really is in the atmosphere you create. A traditional Thanksgiving consists of the standard foods: turkey, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, ect. You have a similar meal year to year. To make it a memorable one, elevate your tablescape and create a unique experience for your guests. Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be a formal affair, with each plate flanked by a platoon of flatware. Instead, your table can highlight your personal style. Choose colors, textures, and patterns to set the scene in a welcoming homecoming for your loved ones.

Indigo Table Setting

Take a break from fussing with formal floral centerpieces and display wispy dried branch stalks in different vases instead. For a snow-kissed look, lay them on paper and spray them with white floral paint before arranging. Block-printed linens are costly to buy but surprisingly simple to make using little more than textile paint, muslin fabric, and woodblock stamps.

Dried Flowers Table Setting

The key to keeping your Dried Table Setting breezy yet modern is to stick mostly to one variety per vase (the mashup of white stoneware also stands out nicely on a rust tablecloth), and line them up loosely. The spare palette will work all winter; for a change of scenery, just swap out the vessels.

Fall Harvest Table Setting

This is debatably the easiest and most eye-catching, wilt-proof centerpiece. Simply place candles on small glass dishes, and cover them with curvy lamp chimneys (which you can find for dollars at hardware or antiques stores). Fill in spare spaces with fruit and foliage. When guests arrive, light the wicks and bask in the glow.

Cozy Rustic Table Setting

Feelings of gratitude come naturally in autumn, peak season for ethereal light, rich colors, and happy homecomings. This Thanksgiving, play up those elements with a simple yet special table that celebrates great food and close-knit company. Pull up a cushioned bench to a spread of easy earthly delights.

Soft Metallics Table Setting

In this Soft Metallics setting, glints of gold and silver play off of soft pink and yellow colors throughout . Positioned on and around the mantel, arrangements of carnations, mums, scabiosa seed heads, and grasses bring natural beauty to the setting. Especially… without crowding the table.

Bright Yellow Table Setting

Working with a golden yellow palette, the look was anchored with a table runner made with metallic glazed linen. The mix of old and new pieces of ceramic vintage dinnerware are all shades of creamy white, which makes for a unique tablescape.

Pattern Play Table Setting

Botanical dinner plates were the starting point for this table. A fresh color palette pulled from the floral pattern—yellow, lavender, brown, and gray—ties everything together. Sleek gray side plates are a contemporary counterpoint to the vintage pattern on the dinner plates.

Richly Colored Table Setting

Sometimes, simplicity is key. This was the thematic vision from Deputy Creative Director Ayesha Patel on this Thanksgiving table, which incorporates natural materials and textures: burlap for place mats, a leather tie for the carafe, and block-printed napkins.

 

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Agent Story: Agents Devin McNichol and Aaron Bernbach Give Back During the Holidays

Devin McNichol and Aaron Bernbach (of the McNichol Bernbach Group of Rodeo Realty), hosted their first annual McNichol Bernbach Group Thanksgiving Food Drive. They hosted the event on Saturday November 23rd, 2019 in front of the Rodeo Realty office based in Pacific Palisades.

For those who brought more than two cans or packages of non-perishable food items to the drive, they qualified for a token. This token was good for a complimentary lunch, catered by Ortiz Kitchen (a Los Angeles based gourmet food truck).  Along with a complimentary lunch, those who donated received a raffle ticket to enter into a drawing for gift cards to local businesses in the Pacific Palisades area.

The first two people who showed up to donate ended up having their complimentary lunch together, realized they were neighbors, and made coffee plans for the following week. Both McNichol and Bernbach were “thrilled to hear about this” as their mission for the event was “all about bringing the community together and giving back” as stated by Bernbach.

The McNichol Bernbach group shared they “had over 100 people donate and collected over 800 pounds of food” – talk about making a difference! All donations were sent to the Westside Food Bank. The Westside Food Bank provides more than five million pounds of food each year for those in need.

On top of hosting a Thanksgiving Food Drive, the McNichol Bernbach group recently delivered 500 pumpkins throughout Pacific Palisades in October. These two are not shy about giving back to the community.

To view their listings, click HERE.

To learn more about the Westside Food Bank, click HERE.

 

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LA Eats: Best Coffee Bars in Los Angeles

With the days getting colder you’re probably in the mood to curl up with a good book, and a cup of the best coffee in town in hand. Whether you’re located in downtown Los Angeles, out west in Santa Monica, or in the suburbs of Studio City. We’ve got all the right places for you to sit down and enjoy your cup of joe to warm up on these chilly winter days!

The Daily Dose
Location: 1820 Industrial St., Los Angeles, CA 90021

This little coffee shop, hidden down a brick-lined alley of Industrial Street, serves a variety of coffee and tea beverages, as well as a seasonal food menu with whimsically-named dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. Don’t forget to try “The Farmer” one of L.A.’s best sandwiches, described “vegetarian behemoth that weighs a full pound and packs a rainbow’s worth of ingredients between slices of Kalamata olive bread from nearby Bread Lounge”.

Zinc Cafe & Market
Location: 580 Mateo St., Los Angeles, CA 90013

Here you’ll find favorites like avocado breakfast toast (smashed avocado, butter, radish salad, chives, lemon zest, various egg dishes, and omelets.  Locals will stop by throughout the day, whether it’s an alfresco lunch of wood-fired pizza beneath olive trees or an after-work cocktail at Bar Mateo.

Stumptown Coffee Roasters
Location: 806 South Santa Fe Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90021

Located just steps from Bestia and Bread Lounge, Stumptown features a retail bar, roastery, training lab, and warehouse. Espresso shots are pulled from in the front bar from a custom La Marzocco Strada MP. Stumptown has been ahead of the game with the latest coffee trend, nitro cold-brew coffee, which is served on tap or available in cans. What’s more? The free coffee tastings at noon on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

Groundwork Coffee Arts District
Location: 811 Traction Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90013

Groundwork Coffee is the latest outpost of L.A.’s homegrown coffee and tea destination, originally founded at Venice Beach in 1990. In addition to its signature organic coffees, Groundwork offers an expanded food menu featuring house-made baked goods, salads, sandwiches and more.

La Colombe
Location: Multiple

The Silver Lake location has a bold, Instagram-friendly mural on the side of the building and many LA-only offerings. In addition to the regular coffeehouse offerings, mango rooibos chili iced tisane and hemp “mylk” for vegan drinks.

Bluestone Lane
Location: 12186 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604

Bluestone Lane originated in New York City, where it’s been on the scene since 2013, with other locations around Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and San Francisco. The cute little location just started brewing in Studio City with a flagship expected in West Hollywood soon. With their sights set on taking over Los Angeles, the brand hopes to have six locations soon!

Dinosaur Coffee
Location: 4334 W. Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90029

Laptop lingerers and chatty post-yoga meetups, if these sound enticing then head over to dinosaur coffee, of the best coffee spots in Silver Lake. The sleek space is heightened by a wood sculpture hanging from the ceiling that resembles a skeleton, and you may or may not see origami dinosaurs around the shop.

Bar Nine
Location: 3515 Helms Ave, Culver City, CA 90232

This space in the Hayden Tract area of Culver City is hidden, minimalist by design with low-slung counters and Modbar espresso systems. The daily coffee (out of three roasted every season) and the latte with house-made hazelnut milk is a must-try! Grab delicious cookies and/or pastries while you’re here!

Civil Coffee
Location: 5629 N. Figueroa St.  Los Angeles, CA 90042

At their stylish Highland Park coffee shop with high ceilings, beautiful Mexican tiled floors, and a walnut-topped bar they feature single-origin beans from Coava, Heart, and others. Try the “The Figueroa” made with espresso, condensed milk and cinnamon the menu also features everything from toasts with myriad toppings, salads, sandwiches, and sweets.

Blue Bottle
Location: Multiple

In 2014, the Oakland-based shop set its sights on Los Angeles and it’s now grown to 12 hyper-chic locations across town, including Venice, Beverly Grove, Culver City, Echo Park, Los Feliz and beyond. All serve blue bottle coffee and espresso drinks made with a rotating selection of blends and single-origin beans. Try the sweet, unique New Orleans-inspired cold brew with chicory, milk, and sugar!

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Out and About: 6 Eclectic Escape Rooms in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has much to offer when it comes to entertainment. It comes as no surprise that Los Angeles is known as the “Escape Room Capital” of the world. These LA-based escape rooms are created by prominent set designers, storytellers, industry creators, and most importantly… their entertainment-loving customers. If you enjoy what Hollywood has to offer when it comes to immersive entertainment based experiences, then you can’t miss these.

We have compiled a list of Escape Rooms that will satisfy any of your “puzzle-hungry” needs. Check them out!

Lab Rat – Los Angeles

Voted #1 by Escaperoomtips.com, Lab Rat by Hatch Escapes is a staple in the LA escape room scene.

The gist: Your group plays as human test subjects held captive by Timothy Ratkenstein, a maniacal researcher who is willing to do whatever it takes in order to complete his dissertation. Every part of this escape room is unique, with immersive storytelling, impressive engineering, a custom soundtrack, and a plethora of unforgettable moments.

Magical Kingdom – Koreatown

If wearing wizard robes (yes, they do provide them) and living in a Harry Potter-esque world is your thing, then don’t miss Maze Room’s Magical Kingdom.

The gist: Watch a cozy bedroom slowly transform into a clockwork fairylike escapade. The technology is immersive, and the payout is worth every penny. The Magical Kingdom set is very well-made, encourages and rewards curiosity, and comes with several fun surprises.

 Doggy Dog World – North Hollywood

Have you ever been curious of what is it’s like in the day and life of your four legged friend? Doggy Dog World allows you to live out this fantasy, while integrating thought provoking puzzles along the way.

The gist: This escape stands out as a real treat especially if you are looking to experience an escape room with the whole family. The age policy is 12+ (with parental supervision), and any child younger than 12 is allowed if you reach out via email them beforehand. The games are private to respect the privacy of your children and family as well.

Murder Co – Upland

For any fans of the Clue Universe, Murder Co is as good as it gets.

The gist: The actors of Murder Co exhibit performances that are masterful and make this escape room top tier when it comes to immersive theatre. The actors will interact with you, frighten you, and direct you, all with a fairly dark sense of humor. It’s a fresh take on the escape room genre, melding “immersive theatre” elements into the room. The adventure is exhilarating, entertaining, and more of an action/adventure rather than a bone-chilling experience.

A.I Tech Integration – Monterey Park

Dive into the digital unknown with A.I by Exit Game.

The gist: A corrupt A.I. has taken over the room, and you have to fight for control before getting permanently “deleted”. The room itself has an atmosphere of a Tron-like world. The advanced use of technology in this digital space leaves the player with a sense of immersion that they may have never experienced.  A.I. Tech Integration offers an overwhelming densely-packed assortment of puzzles with a fun futuristic atmosphere.

Zoe – Fullerton

Zoe gives the horror fan their gruesome fix.

The gist: This haunted house inspired escape room provides an arsenal of horrific puzzles. It does not help that the cast of actors are dedicated to scaring the daylights out of you.  Zoe is known as the “scariest escape room” in LA. Proven to not disappoint even the bravest of souls. Each confrontation within the incredibly detailed set is different than the last. The maze is paced in a way that will keep you on your toes.

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