Category Archives: 365thingstodoinla

Day 23: Petersen Automotive Museum

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http://www.petersen.org/

You are going to need a bib to walk through this place. I was definitely drooling over this little hottie!  The Petersen Automotive Museum is a great place to host events or just take a stroll around and see the history of cars. 

Last time we were there, it was to go to the Gold Standard, a benefit for Heal the Bay featuring Jonathan Gold’s (L.A. Weekly’s Pulitzer Prize winning food critic) favorite L.A. restaurants. After eating ourselves silly, we decided to do a lap around the museum.  Both my dad and husband re-lived their childhood days when they saw the Helms Bakery truck. It had these beautiful wooden drawers and used to drive around L.A. delivering fresh baked good daily.  And we thought food trucks were a new thing…

Father’s day is coming up, maybe we’ll stop here, wander around and then go the Farmer’s Market for dinner???

Day 22: Big Sunday

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http://www.bigsunday.org/

You don’t have to be a Secret Millionaire to give back.  Anyone who has been watching that show cannot help but be touched by the gratitude that springs forth from both the giver and recipient.  On May 14th and 15th, Big Sunday returns with thousands of volunteers spreading out around the city to build community through community service.  At Keller Williams Santa Monica, we are doing our own day of service at John Adams Middle School on May 12th http://tinyurl.com/3osmqbw  

You are welcome to join us or click on the Big Sunday weblink above to learn about other opportunities to be of service. 

I can say without hesitation, that I feel the best about myself when I am doing something good for others and community service has been a wonderful lesson in compassion for my family.

Day 21: Self Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine

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http://www.lakeshrine.org/

Sometimes when I need some inspiration or a quiet place to sit, I find myself at the Self Realization Fellowship (pun intended) in Pacific Palisades.  Right now is such a great time to visit this ten acre plot of tranquility, everything is blooming.  A gentle path winds its way around the spring-fed lake, past waterfalls, and waterfowl.  There’s a storybook like windmill and plenty of benches and shady spots to enjoy the view.  There is the Gandhi Peace Memorial,  where a portion of his ashes are enshrined.   I have attended weddings and memorials here, they have group meditation classes and Sunday services, with all religions welcome.  This is truly a magical spot to connect with the spirit that moves through all things…

Day 20: Natural History Museum

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www.nhm.org

The last time you visited the Natural History Museum, did you need a parent signed field-trip slip and were you riding a yellow school bus?  Re-live that childhood curiosity and plan a visit…  

Try an adults only First Fridays (next one is on May 6th). Once a month, the entire Natural History Museum stays open until 10 pm and features live music, exciting scientific discussion, and behind-the-scenes curatorial tours.  See a Mummy, explore the upcoming Dinosaur Hall, learn more about the history of California or take a stroll in the Rose Garden. 

My family loves the Hall of Mammals and the Gem and Mineral Hall.  For a special treat, check out the Pavillion of Wings from April 10th-Sept. 5th. More than 40 different butterfly and moth species and an array of plants take up residence every summer, this is a special exhibit and requires an additional entrance fee, but the kids love it!

Day 18: La Vitrine Designs by Musti

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www.lavitrinedesigns.com

I was looking for something special to give my niece for her 16th birthday.  A girlfriend recommended that I visit La Vitrine Designs by Musti, at 1119 Montana Ave. in Santa Monica.  You know when you walk in someplace and it has great energy, this store has it.  Musti designs and makes all his jewelry in-house, he also told me that he does repairs.  His eyes lit up as he talked about taking antique pieces and making them into something new.  We also shared a laugh because the paparazzi were next door snapping photos of some starlet getting her nails done that we had never heard of…

In my case, I walked out with a crochet seed pearl necklace that could also be wrapped and worn as a bracelet. A perfect, understated piece of jewelry that fits my nieces  personality and my pocketbook.  My friend made an excellent referral that I am happy to pass along…

Day 17: Tree People

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http://www.treepeople.org/


Coldwater Canyon Park is home to the TreePeople, a natural oasis smack dab in the middle of the city.  The park itself has miles of hiking trails with views of the San Fernando Valley and is owned by the City of Los Angeles but maintained by the TreePeople.

According to their brochure, TreePeople was founded in 1973 by teenagers.  TreePeople staff and volunteers have planted more than two million trees, and each year the organization educates thousands of children about environmental responsibility. TreePeople offers many programs in Coldwater Canyon Park including Eco-tour field trips for elementary schools, park tours, full moon hikes and summer performances in the ampitheater. 

Upcoming events include the first annual Green City Fair on Saturday, June 4th, 2011 from 10 am- 4 pm.  12601 Mulholland Dr. (at Coldwater Canyon Blvd.)  Go to www.treepeople.org/green-city-fair or call 818-623-4862 for details.

Day 16: Zengo

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Zengo is Japanese for give and take, which is how we ate our meal tonight at Richard Sandoval’s Latin Asian fusion restaurant atop the newly redone Santa Monica Place.  This hip and chic eatery (the whole Santa Monica Place for that matter) bears no resemblance to that old dreary indoor 80’s mall.  The decor features a mix of Mexican Glass Lamps and Asian Antiques and leans toward the dark and clubby, it has both indoor and outdoor seating with a fireplace place and has quite a hopping bar scene.

The food is served in small portions (tapas style) and our waiter recommended 2-3 plates per person.  Last time we ordered like that, there was quite a bit left over… So we ordered one plate each and one for the table.  In total, we had the Carnitas Over Rice Noodles, the Ahi Tacos w/Mango Salsa, The Flank Steak Churrasco, a Wagyu Beef Roll and an appetizer of Wok Tossed Edemame, which had a very different, but delicious smoky flavor.   Everything we ate caused us all to talk, you could taste all the flavors in each bite and we had a great view.  This was our third visit and so far it’s failed to disappoint us.

http://www.richardsandoval.com/zengosm/index.htm

Day 15: Cooking Classes

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http://www.chefsinc.net/

In speaking with one of my colleagues at Keller Williams Realty today, he asked if I knew where he could take a cooking class. Thus my topic for today’s blog! 

Not only does Chefs Inc. have classes for adults, they also offer summer camp for the kiddies.  You could even go completely authentic and meet Mamma Vittori on a culinary tour like the one coming up in Tuscany! 

I like the variety of culinary tastes they offer and best of all, you can sign up online for one class or a series of classes.  So if you’re like me, and your tastes run from India, to Japan, to Italy, to seafood, and so on…  By coming to Chefs Inc., you will be able to sharpen your knives and techniques and meet other like minded budding chefs along the way!

Day 14: Earth Day at the Autry

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theautry.org

On May 1st, The Autry presents a Native American perspective on earth-friendly living. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn about sustainable living in the West. There will be earth-friendly tips from backyard farmers, gardening experts, green-build architects and wildlife experts. This family friendly event also features a Kid’s planet area, where children can participate in activities and games.

Day 13: Gjelina

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By far, one if my favorite restaurants in all of L.A.! Great for brunch, lunch and dinner. They are under construction to open a to-go spot next door for those of us who don’t like to wait.  There are no reservations for parties under six. They take the freshest ingredients and make something delicious, so you can taste all the individual items and have it still be something new. This isn’t one of those restaurants that tries too hard to make something original and ends up tasting so-so, everything is so yummy.   Just go!

Gjelina