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.

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Register now here for LA Marathon XXIV May 25, 2009, Los Angeles, CA, 91608. The running will start on Monday, May 25 2009, 7:00am. at the corner of Cahuenga and Lankershim Cahuenga Blvd And Lankershim Blvd Los Angeles, CA.

LA Marathon XXIV
Monday, May 25, 2009, 07:00 AM
Los Angeles, CA 91608
Date:
Monday, May 25, 2009
Time:
07:00 AM
Venue:
Los Angeles, CA
Address:
Cahuenga and Lankershim
Cahuenga Blvd And Lankershim Blvd
Fees:
$95.00
Online Registration Closes:
05/20/09 11:59 PM
Website:

http://www.lamarathon.com

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Eight Miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles is the Rose Parade and the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The Rose Parade is traditionally done every year on New Years Day. The Rose Parade started January 1, 1890. Following the parade is the Rose Bowl football game. The Rose Bowl football game started January 1, 1923. Many of the local television stations will carry the Rose Parade live and uniterrupted of commercials. Than a rebroadcast roughly an hour later. The football game is later in the day at 2:30 PM(PST)

Now, one may wonder if this is in Pasadena, what does this have to do with Los Angeles other than the close proximity. Well this year for the 2008 Rose Bowl the beloved Trojans of USC will be playing against University of Illinois. USC is located in downtown Los Angeles.

So of course I will have to say something other than GO TROJANS!!!!!!!!!!! Right? Ok maybe not so loud. I will try and be a little unbiased and be fair. Ok maybe, NOT. GO TROJANS!!!!!!. Besides my niece goes to the esteem University of Southern California. And my son goes to high school directly across the street from USC and has about two classes on the campus as well. So it can very hard not to a wee bit biased. Sorry. Besides how many times has USC Trojans appeared in the Rose Bowl in the 105 year history. 31 times. Yup. A whopping 31 times including this 2008 year. Out of the 30 appearances. USC has won 22 of the 30 appearances. So Illinois is going to really want the ring pretty bad and work real hard to get it. The action starts at 2:30 PM(PST).

But for those who are strictly Rose Parade fans you can either reserve bleachers at certain locations of the parade route. Or you can be one of thousands who camp out the night before for a spot in the front row(curb side seating of course). The parade starts around 8 am in the morning and roughly lasts two to two and half hours. The Rose Bowl theme this year is “Passport to the World’s Celebrations.” The length of the Rose Parade route is 5 1/2 miles.

Many people are being encouraged to take the Metro system to the game and or parade. One can get there either by bus and or the light rail system(Yellow line from Union Station). The Yellow runs roughly every 8 – 12 minutes. The traffic is crazy so I would highly recommend parking at Union Station for $6 and paying the all day fare for $5. Which is much easier on the wallet and less of a headache of remembering where your car is and paying high priced parking fees. And for those who have missed the Rose Parade, you can view the floats after and on January 2, 2008. You can get a direct service to where the floats are wherehoused. For more information on Metro transportaion for the Rose Parade/Bowl festives.

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In the last few days news has broken out about the Westland group which is located in Chino. California providing some bad beef to the Los Angeles Unified School District(LAUSD). About 37 million pounds of beef have been recalled that had gone to the school lunch programs. There are 150 school districts across the nation that have stopped using the ground beef from the processing plant Hallmark Meat Co. which is associated with Westland distrubters.

The issue at large about the beef that the processing company Hallmark Meat Co. and their distrubuter Westland had provided was that many of the cows were downed cattle. The downed cattle pose health risks or pose a higher risk of contamination of E. Coli, Salmonella or mad cow disease. The downed cows wallow in feces and their immune systems are low and or weak, hence picking up such diseases.

The USDA is investigating into the issue along with Senator Diane Feinstein of California. The USDA has suspended the operations of Westland and Hallmark until the federals have completed a full investigation. Jack In The Box, the fast food chain is also affected by the downed cows and has stopped taking orders from the companies.

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Today is Three Kings Day (Dia de los Reyes) to celebrate the three kings visit to baby Jesus in Bethlehem. The Festival de los Reyes Magos is considered the last day of Christmas. It’s traditional to eat a sweet cake called Rosca de Reyes.

This afternoon, the 4th Festival of the Wise Men in Los Angeles (Festival de los Reyes Magos en Los Angeles) will be held 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m. at Mac Arthur Park, Whilshire Blvd & 7th St., Los Angeles.

WHEN: January 6,2009 12:00 noon – 4:00 p.m.
SITE: Mac Arthur Park, Whilshire Blvd & 7th St., Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Cervantes Center of Arts & Letters
INFO: 310-526-1480, www.cervantescenter.org

This evening 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., the Olvera Street Merchants and El Pueblo Historical Monument sponsor the Los Tres Reyes celebration of the Epiphany (visit of the Three Kings) with music and a colorful parade on Olvera Street. Complimentary refreshments will also be served.

WHEN: January 6, 2009 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
SITE: El Pueblo Historical Monument, 125 Paseo de la Plaza, Los Angeles
COST: Free
SPONSOR: Olvera Street Merchants and El Pueblo Historical Monument
INFO: 213-485-8372, www.cityofla.org/

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So I am off to see the real “Queen of Soul”, Aretha Franklin in concert tonight at the newly built Nokia Center. Which is located across the street from the Staples center where the LA Lakers, Sparks and Kings play their home games at. The Nokia Center now sits on the lot where the Summer X-Games use to be played at.

I am so psyched and ready for this concert. Especially to hear from Aretha and her thoughts on the faux pa that Beyonce did at the Grammys. Beyonce and Tina Turner did a duet and Beyonce referred to Tina Turner as “The Queen”. Tsk, Tsk, Tsk. It now has sounds of some kittens hissing and lionesses roaring in this little tit for tat.

Can I say wow and wow again. OK, ok. So there are many diva’s that are in their own right. But there are only a handfull that actually hold such honorable titles and never to be passed off to other divas. Can I say that Aretha is truely the “Queen of Soul”.

Now if you are wondering if I am dissing Tina. I am soooooooo not. Her sounds are original, classy, soothing and classic. But would see Tina’s music more on the lines of classic rock than soul. So two seperate music genre’s and two different diva’s that hold their own. And never ever can be compared. EVER. Tina the “Diva”(BTW – your still hot looking in your 60′s) and Aretha the true “Queen”.

But the only reason I can go is that I found a place where I am pretty much paying for 2 tickets for 1. The tickets are going for $55 – $85. I was able to get the 2 tickets for about $65 through a program that I am with called Gold Star Events. Which provides discounted tickets to local concerts, plays, events, operas, ballets, comedy shows, sporting events. Even Vegas shows. You can find tix for such events in major cities such as Seattle, New York City, Los Angeles, San Diego, San Fransico, Boston, D.C and Las Vegas. I have used them for a few things already and love it. Many of the tickets I get are anywhere between 10% to 50% off regular ticketed price.

So off I go to get ready. Cause I soooo R – E – S – P – E – C – T ‘ya Aretha. All praises to thee

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Los Angeles MTA Metro System Service Alerts announced “On New Year’s Eve Monday, December 31 (into Tuesday, January 1), all Metro Rail lines will run all night, every 20 minutes.”

Metro will offer a special Holiday Free Fare Program for all Metro Bus and Metro Rail lines operating on New Year’s Eve.

The free fare program, approved by Metro’s Board of Directors, will be in effect between the hours of 9 p.m. and 2 a.m. only on the nights and early morning hours of December 31-January 1.

Patrons boarding a Metro Bus, including the Metro Orange Line or the Metro Red, Purple, Blue, Green or Gold rail lines during the hours designated will receive a free ride to their destination.

The Metro Purple Line operates from Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Wilshire/Western and the Metro Red Line from Union Station to North Hollywood in the San Fernando Valley. The Metro Blue Line operates from Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles, the Metro Green Line runs between Norwalk and El Segundo and the Metro Gold Line operates between Union Station and Pasadena.

For complete route and schedule information for MTA Los Angeles patrons can call 1-800-C-O-M-M-U-T-E or visit Metro’s web site and access the Metro Trip Planner at www.metro.net.

Contact
Luis Inzunza/Marc Littman
Metro Media Relations
213.922.2711/213.922.4609
mediarelations@metro.net
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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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

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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

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Now you may wonder why anyone would blog about a library. Well the Los Angeles Public Library isn’t just any ole library. Other than being a Los Angeles historical landmark that was built in 1926. It is the third largest library in the United States in terms of book and periodical holdings. It is also across the street from what was once known as Bunker Hill. The LAPL is in the financial district of downtown Los Angeles. It is also kiddy corner from the Westin Bonaventure Hotel.

One may view the LAPL as an artistic archeticual building in its own right. The building has the style of ancient Egypt. In the upper levels of the library one may find many Egytian god statues as well. As well as large wall tapestries and art work on the ceilings that reminds me of the Sistine Chapel. There are roughly eight floors to the library. And each floor is equipped with computers that the general public and library members to use. There are weekly activities on Saturdays for the children as well. From movies to puppet shows to reading books to them.

Outside the library is a beautiful park with water fountains and plenty of space for people to lay in the grass or read on many of the park style benches. Or for the kids to run and play after a few hours in the library. There is even the Lamelle movie theater two blocks north of the library. So after a day at the library, one can catch a movie.

In addition, the LAPL has a special collection of 16,000 rare books. Some written in the 1500′s, but many were published in the 18th(1700′s) and 19th(1900′s) century. The library also has teamed up with the Getty Centerand has an exhibit that runs for a few months. They have roughly three to four in the Central Library’s Getty Gallery. The current exhibit is Julius Shulman, photographer, work. It runs until January 27, 2008. I would recommend to go see it before it closes. They have an extensive genealogical research section in the history department. As well as a lecture series where well known authors come and speak.

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