Invisible L.A.

Dominicana Cigars has officially launched Cigars to the Stars(TM) and their newest addition to their Cigar Catering(R) service featuring on-site Cigar Rollers and Cigar Servers for special events. Cigars to the Stars(TM) events are similar to consumer promotions however, they are catered to the luxury of red carpet celebrity events.

An event for Fox 24 including the producers and the show’s cast enjoyed a Red Carpet event at trendy Les Deux in Hollywood. Cigars were hand rolled for everyone. Another cigars event was rolled out at the Playboy Mansion in last August.

The company prefers to work with high end event planners and is selective in what events they will cater to. CF Dominicana Cigars is introduced to new cigar lovers at every party, wedding, anniversary, red carpet event and celebrity function.

CF Dominicana Cigars
Phone: 888.467.8400
Fax: 917.386.2686
Available Mon - Fri from 10am to 9pm ET, 9 to 6pm PT. Sat/Sun from 10 to 4pm ET, 9 to 2 PT

Guò nián! which means to Celebrate The New Year in Chinese. Chúc Mừng Năm Mới! means Happy New Years in Vietnamese

It is 2008 and the year of the rat. And the world is gearing up for this wonderful celebration of life and family. All the way from Los Angeles, to China, Vietnam, Korea, San Fransico. and to New York City.

Lately we have been going to the celebrations in Los Angeles due to travel and convience because of where we live. Chinatown businesses in Los Angeles pretty much closes down 1 - 3 days prior to the celebration to adhere to some of the New Years traditions. So roughly from Thursday and Friday of February 7th to the 8th many of the business will be closed. And the celebrations pick up on the morning of February 9th.

Chinatown in Los Angeles has a parade on February 9th, 2008. Get your seat early. There will be huge crowds. At times exceeding over 100,000 people plus. Be sure when the dragons pass you during the parade that they pass directly in front of you. You will be more blessed with luck during the year. And for the children, be mindful, and respect your parents and other adults and wish them a happy and prosperous New Year. There are many red envelopes to be had. The children will find money in the envelopes. Usually one will find anywhere between a nickel up to no more than $4.00. You are considered real lucky if you receive an envelope with $8.00(for its homophone for “wealth”). Sometimes they will find chocolate coins in the envelopes as well.

Prior to the parade you may want to enjoy some of the traditional Chinese and Vietnamese styled restaurants with more of the authentic foods. Not really much of the American-Asian fusion food one would eat outside such enclaved cities. All are wonderful in taste and variety. I always enjoy the traditional bowl of Vietnamese soup called Pho’. One of the many pho’ restaurants I frequent is on Broadway by the name of Pho’ 79. Order the simpliest soup called Pho’ Tai. It is pretty much a steak and noodle soup dish. One may top the soup with bean sprout, basil, hoisen sauce, nuc mum(fish sauce) and a green chile or two.

You may want to do a walking tour of the many shops that have great deals on textiles, art, clothing, toys and food at reasonable prices. You may also be surprised of the many Asian and American galleries spotted throughout Chinatown. It is also rumored that a few Hollywood stars have bought lofts in the area as well. I hear that Quentin Tarantino may be one of them. You know the producer/director/writer of such films as Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and From Dusk to Dawn.

If you are unsure what Chinese Zodiac(Horoscope) you fall under, you may find out your animal sign here. Your sign will come every 12 years. If you would like to know more about the legend of the 12 signs, you may read more about it at Chinese Zodiac Page.

I know in many major cities across America have enclaves, or better know as “little towns”.  Such as in Los Angeles.  Here are but a few Los Angeles enclaves.  All are wonderful for their unique cultures, foods, festivals and contributions to the Los Angeles community.

Chinatown
Little Armenia
Little Tokyo
Koreatown
Thai Town
Little Ethopia
Little Manila
Jewish - Beverlywood
Little Persia
Little Italy - Which is now Chinatown. Yes odd I know.

I know in Los Angeles we have many of these inner cities as well. Such as East Los Angeles - Echo Park and City Terrace, West Los Angeles, South Central Los Angeles - Leimert Park and Watts as well as Hollywood. Many of them make up small businesses and have great restaurants, and annual festivals highlighting their country of orgin and its cultures.

Now you probably wonder why I would mention Los Angeles enclaves. Well I am sure you do realise the diversity of the “Little Town’s”. And this is one of the many things I enjoy about the Los Angeles community. The best of many countries being brought to one community is a difinite highlight of living or visting such large cities. This is not counting the many districts as well in Los Angeles. Los Angeles also has a financial district, clothing district, jewelry district, toy district as well as a few other districts. So you can do one of two things, visit all the “little enclaves” or shop in the many districts, or do both, your choice. Los Angeles is a must definite visit for a vast cultural and shopping experience.

CBS studios at Beverly and Fairfax has a great history as well. The studios was built in 1952 on the famous Gilmore stadium where the professional “Hollywood Stars” baseball team would play. Such great baseball stars that played were like, Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams and Billy Martin. The team was owned by such big stars such as George Burns, Greacie Allen, Gary Cooper, William Powell, Bing Crosby and Cecille B. DeMille. But back to more history, one of many shows that were taped at the Beverly/Fairfax were the Carol Burnett show, The Sonny and Cher, The Ed Sullivan Show(where the Beatles made they did their first US show).

I have been into the CBS Studios several times for several shows. It is a great experience to view live TV shows. I have seen such shows for free such as “The Price is Right” with Bob Barker, The Hollywood Squares and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher. And if you are a big soap opera fan of “The Young And The Restless” and “The Bold and The Beautiful” you may get a peek at a few of the stars going and out or just hanging out in the back for small time chatter.

All the tickets are free to get to see the shows. There are several ways to get free tickets. One way is to drive to the CBS studios on Beverly and Fairfax and walk to the ticket window. The ticket window is open 5 days a week from 9 AM to 5 PM. You pick the show, the date and what time(several shows do several tapings per day). Another way to get free tickets is of course to do a search via the net, there are many services out there that you can order tickets from. Or you can call directly to the studios, which is: 1 - 323 - 575 - 2458. And if you are a local of the Los Angeles area, many studios hire temporary agencies or firms to hire what many call in the industry as “Audience Paticipants”. Yes indeed they do get paid. You may not know who they are in the audience because one of the rules is they can not tell others they are there to fill seats and to get paid.

If you want to see a listing of the television shows that are not affected by the 2007 - 2008 writers strike. Here is the listing as of January 21, 2008. Reports are coming in that some studios are actually closing in on deals with the writers union. Many believe the strike will relatively end at the end of January 2008. Here is some information about CBS television show dress code, parking, arrival time and attending the show.

Many Angeleno’s consider Olvera Street as a center for Hispanic/Mexican history. Olvera Street boarders between downtown Los Angeles and the Los Angeles river(East Los). And South of the street is the historic Union Station, a major mass transit station for Los Angeles. North of Olver Street is Fort Moore. LA holds an annual July 4th celebration. Which includes antique cannons. To the North East is the historic Chinatown. And further North East is the famous Dodger Stadium. So you may see that it is centrally located amidst much LA activity and is not to hard to find.

Olvera Street dates back as early as 1877. The street is named after Augustin Olvera. The first LA County Judge. He also owned a house at the end of the street as well. Within the street is the Avila Adobe House(built 1818) which still stands. Francisco Avila was one of LA’s first mayors. You may visit the Avila Adobe, roughly between the hours of 10AM - 4PM. Admission is free. Olvera Street also housed many Olympians during the 1932 which was hosted in Los Angeles. Many famous and important people would visit or frequent the street. Such as: Ronald Reagan, Charlie Chaplin, King Juan Carlos I of Spain, Selma Hayak, Penelope Cruz, Ceasar Chavez, Oscar de La Hoya as well as many others.

In between touring the street and the Avila Adobe you can find some restaurants and sidewalk cafes to eat at. Many of the plates range between $4.00 - $15.00. You may be so lucky to hear live Mexican Folk to Mariachi music. Each group has anywhere between one to five singing and playing accordias and acoustical guitars.

At the end of Olvera Street is the plaza. One may be entertained by Aztec dancers and Peruvian music. During Cinco de Mayo(May 5th) there is always a festival that last 3 days. With pinatas, food, Mariachi music and more. The Plaza also has another festival Mid September in remembrace of Mexicos Independance from Spain, You may also find one of many other Olvera Street festivals. Anything from the Blessing of the Animals, Dia de Los Muetros(day of the dead is around Halloween), to the Annual celebration of the founding of Los Angeles(In 2008 it will be 226 years old). And the mural of the Blessing of the Animals was done by an Angeleno by the name of Leo Politi. The mural can be found on the Biscailuz Building in El Pueblo which is at the end of Olvera Street, across the street from the plaza. Politi was an artist as well as an author.

The 10th installment of the Pershing Square Ice rink continues until Jan. 21. There’s still plenty of time left to skate and enjoy the activities at the L.A. Kings Downtown on Ice rink in Pershing Square. On Wednesday night at 6 p.m there is one final adult hockey clinic. Thursday at noon a Lunchtime concert takes place and a Led Zeppelin cover band performs Friday night. On Saturday starting at 1 p.m. a children’s program is offered and the Swingin’ Sundays program closes on Sunday.

The Pershing Square Ice Rink is open every day from Nov. 15, 2007 to Jan. 21, 2008. Admission is $6 and skate rental is $2.

Pershing Square Ice Rink
532 S Olive St
Los Angeles, CA 90013
(213) 624-4289

If you are an art lover of sorts like I am. Than can I recommend visiting Los Angeles County Museum Of Art. Commonly known to Angelenos as LACMA. LACMA with their permanent and special events has many family oriented programs.

The hours are generally 12 PM to 8 PM and closed Wednesday and all major holidays. LACMA is located on Wilshire Blvd on Museum Row. The admission is $12 for adults, children 17 years and under free. One adult can get in free with their child 17 years and under if the child signs up for NEXGEN. After 5 PM anyone can get in for free. As well as on certain holdays that fall on a Monday are free admission.

I have gone after 5 pm on a few ocassions and found that the museum was not as crowded as in the mid afternoons. I am able to enjoy the massive art collection with little pressure to rush from room to room. I love the costume and textiles exhibit. Viewing textiles from the east to seeing the fashion from the French Court of Louis XIV. I also love the American West paintings of Bierdstat to Gifford and Morgan. I also love the photography section as well as The Pavillion which hosts the Japanese collection. One may view the majestic and awesome size of the Samurai suits.

There are also several other museums within LACMA such as The Pavillion which hosts a collection of Japanese Art. There is the Bing Center as well. I usually see modern art in this section. There are also a few garden sections to stroll through when you need some fresh air and a break from indoors.

LACMA also has a library that is open to the public by appointment only. They have over 175,000 books, periodocals and journals.

There are several other museums close by to LACMA. Such as the Peterson Automotive and La Brea Tar Pits Museums. Both museums are family friendly just like LACMA. If anything you can make an entire day out of visiting Museum Row. There is a giant park located between LACMA and the La Brea Tar Pits.

If you are hungry you may bring a picnic to the park or choose to eat at the cafe’. I would also recommend for those who want a more casual restuarant and that would be Marie Calanders that is one block east of LACMA.

The La Marathon 5k Run / Walk is scheduled for Sunday, March 2th 2008. at Gil Lindsay Plaza, Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa, Los Angeles, CA 90015

A full morning of fitness and family fun will begin at 6:30am with Adai Lamar, 102.3 “Radio Free” KJLH “Adai and the Home Team” morning show anchor. Adai Lamar will guide participants through the morning’s activities. Musical entertainment by 50’s-present day cover band, the Grizwalds, will follow. A warm up, led by certified yoga instructor, Crunch trainer and fitness guru, Sahara Ali, featuring a hoola-hoop workout will get the runners ready.

Many 5k participants also participate in the Acura L.A. Bike Tour.

START TIMES & LOCATIONS

Acura L.A. Marathon Bike Tour – 6:00am – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Emerald Nuts 5K Run/Walk – 7:30am – Staples Center/L.A. Convention Center

L.A. Marathon Hand Crank Wheelchairs – 7:45am – Universal Studios Hollywood

Wheelchair Race - 7:50amThe Challenge – TBDProfessional Men/Pack - 8:15 am

MARATHON REGISTRATION DEADLINES & FEES
• $100 from December 1st until February 25th at Midnight
• $115 at the Quality of Life Expo, Friday, February 29 & Saturday, March 1

QUALITY OF LIFE EXPO

The latest in running, cycling, health & fitness, travel, lifestyle improvement is featured at the LA Marathon Quality of Life Expo. Exhibitor booths feature sports running shoes to apparel. 2008 marks the 23rd year of the Quality of Life Expo. Over 80,000 people attend the LA Marathon Quality of Life Expo each year.

Los Angeles Convention Center
West Hall
1201 S. Figueroa
Los Angeles, CA 90015

Friday, March 2, 2007 9am-8pm
Saturday, March 3, 2007 9am-5pm**

The Expo is free but the Convention Center does charge $12 for parking. The Marathon derives no revenue from the parking fees.

Registrations for the 5K Run/Walk are accepted online (www.lamarathon.com) or via paper applications through February 15, 2008. Late registration for the 5K takes place at the Quality of Life Expo, Friday and Saturday February 29 and March 1, 2008 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, Kentia Hall and the morning of the event in front of the Los Angeles Convention Center. Registration on raceday, Sunday, March 2th opens at 6:00am.

Contact Information: (La Marathon 5k Run / Walk)
Phone: (310) 444-5544
Fax: (310) 473-8105
Address: 11110 W. Ohio Ave, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90025
Website: www.lamarathon.com
Email: raceinfo@lamarathon.com

The Wii is almost impossible to get in Los Angeles. There are a couple of places the wii is still available. GameStop at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles has been offering rainchecks for the nintendo wii. You must pay the console’s full price of $250 and pick it up in January. You can also find a wii advertised in the electronic classifieds in the Los Angeles craiglist. This should set you back around $350 - $400.

Nintendo has sold more than 6 million Wii systems and wii sales are now outstripping PS3 and the Xbox 360. It seems that everyone loves the wii. Even 4 year olds enjoying playing it.

MP3tunes has just announced custom technology for Wii, plus more music for New Year’s. If you were lucky enough to get a new Nintendo Wii for Christmas you now can play all your digital music through the video game with new technology from MP3tunes. Wii owners can now use the device’s controller to wirelessly stream their personal music collections from their
own Music Lockers.

MP3tunes is offering free playlists to sideload to the Music Locker for immediate access on the Wii and other devices. “To demonstrate how simple it is to add playlists to a Locker, we’ve created, in partnership with CDBaby, a terrific New Year’s Eve music set for our customers,” commented Emily Richards, President of MP3tunes. “With just one click, this New
Year’s playlist is sideloaded to your Music Locker for access on dozens of devices — with no listening limits.” Sideload the playlist to your MP3tunes Locker at http://www.mp3tunes.com/ .

Not to far from Paramont Studios in Los Angeles is Pink’s Hot Dogs. The distance between Paramont Studios and Pinks is less than a mile. Pink’s Hot Dog Stand has been in the same location since 1939. Pink’s is historical by all means for just not its location to Hollywood Studios but also for its hot dogs.

You may also find these great hot dogs being served in Las Vegas at Planet Hollywood(The Aladdin Hotel). Or if you are ever in the mood to gamble in Los Angeles. Than you can find some Pinks Hot Dogs at the Hollywood Park Casino in Inglewood, California, right across the street from the Forum where the Los Angeles Lakers use to play before moving to the Staples center. Pink’s Hot Dogs are also served at the Greek Theater in Griffith Park, Los Angeles(down the hill from Griffith Observatory).

The hours for the Pinks Hot Dog stand are almost around the clock. Open anywhere between 16 - 18 hours a day. It opens daily at 9:30 am and closes between 2 and 3:00 am. On top of that if you visit Pink’s you can have another chance to see a slew of celebrities. Especially since it is in close proximity of Paramont Studios. Such celebs that have been to enjoy the tasty hot dogs are: Celine Dion, Billy Dee Willaims(loved him as Apollo in the Rocky movies and Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars movies), Bruce Willis, Snoop Dog, Bobby Flay, Tyra Banks, Alec Baldwin, Rosie O’Donnell, Aerosmith(loved Steven Tylers daughter - Liv Tyler in “The Lord of the Rings”). And yes, even the great Martha Stewart was found buying and taking a few bites of these delicious hot dogs.

The hot dogs are thee best dogs one could ever possibly have. One can view Pinks menu. I usually spend anywhere from $5.00 - $8.00. My usual is just a hot dog with mustard straight up, side of sauerkraut with Orange Crush and a bag of chips. I do get adventurous and get the spicy Chicago Polish Dog - mustard, relish, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and no chili. My all time fav though is the Bacon Chili Cheese dog.

Really, Really trust me. Pink’s Hot Dogs are worth it. I know I said you can get them at Planet Hollywood in Vegas, Hollywood Park Casino or the Greek Theater. But for the ultimate experience stop at Pink’s Hot Dog Stand on Melrose and La Brea.