I wrote about Joan Whitenack a few weeks ago who heads the Foothill Unity Center for our nice list. Now on to the Foothill Unity Center itself.

The center takes care of folks in the foothill communities of the San Gabriel Valley. Aside from feeding and clothing those families in immediate distress, they also provide other service such as dentist check ups and free haircuts by working with other groups in the SGV.  Events such as the Thanksgiving and Holiday Distribution Parties as well as the Back to School reach into the thousands the number of families they help.

Aside from donations of food, cash and other emergency type supplies they are in need of labor to help in the Monrovia and Pasadena Centers.  That would include not only sorting donations as they arrive, but labor in the warehouses to package the stuff for distribution to those in need. Even those with social working talents are needed to help with preparing files to track what help is best needed for their clients to ensure they get it.

All year long they are in need of food donations, toiletries, packing material and stuff for distribution to their clients. They need cash too to help fund their activities such as transportation and clothing vouchers. This time of year they need help with their Holiday Distribution Event. This year it is to be held on December 19 and 20 at the Ayers Hall in the LA Arboretum with the preparations for the event taking place on the 18th. Volunteers are needed prior to the event to help with wrapping, sorting and decorating. On the days of the event they need adult volunteers to help with the distribution. Finally they need help with tear down on the 21st. For more information on the specifics of where they need help for this event visit their web site HERE.

Help them fulfill their mission statement however you can.

Foothill Unity Center, Inc. envisions a community where. . .

All have their basic needs met, including the need to give
All get the necessary support to become self-sufficient
All are treated with love and dignity … all the time

We provide critical support, in the form of food, clothing, motel vouchers, and referrals/advocacy to our neighbors in crisis. As the need for food brings people to us, we listen to their problems and help them find solutions. We work with other agencies to provide long-term shelter, counseling, medical, educational, employment and spiritual assistance depending on the person’s needs.

In this way, Foothill Unity Center helps people return self-sufficiency. All services are provided with love and dignity, regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, citizenship, sexual orientation, physical or emotional disabilities or veteran’s status.

If you have someone on your list that has everything, consider making a gift to the Foothill Unity Center in their name this Holiday Season.

For more complete information on the Foothill Unity Center visit their web site.

Monrovia Center: 415 W. Chestnut Ave., Monrovia 91016 Phone: (626) 358-3486 / Fax: (626) 358-8224 Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

Pasadena Center: 191 N. Oak Ave., Pasadena 91107 Phone: (626) 584-7420 / Fax: (626) 584-7422 Hours: 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday.

CicLAvia (the group organizing bike days in LA which we’ve covered many, many times here) is trying to raise some cash to help with future events. They are hoping to raise $5,000 and right now have just under $1,000 pledged. They have a page on kickstarter that makes donating easy. If you enjoyed the last cicLAvia and want to see more, go toss them a few bucks. I’m going to do it right now myself.

If you’ve been following the matter of the MOCA mural that was commissioned, painted and then promptly painted over – it seems there is now an official statement as to why. DailyDuJour reports that Jeffery Deitch has responded to public criticism about the whitewashing noting that he felt the mural was inappropriate, but also that the museum didn’t receive any complaints about it before the decision to remove it was made.

Carl Raether's photo used through Creative Commons license

It’s been a long while since I have posted. Among other reasons (a bone-crushingly heavy work load, ennui and existential despair…) I have the lucky excuse of having been in Paris for a bit. Yes it was cold–a Jack Londony, Fargo-ish kind of cold–but heck, I’d rather freeze my ass off in Paris than be warm and toasty a lot of places.

And the food! Happily one of my foodie friends here, who lived in Paris for a couple of years, had sent me a meaty email with advice on where to get the best macarons (Ladurée) and falafel (Chez hanna) and steak-frites (Relais de L’entrecote). So, on C’s recommendation, we set out for steak at RE, a Paris institution. Steak-frites, understand, is all they serve. You can choose a dessert or a wine, but as far as a meal, they ask only “how do you like your steak?” and they are world-famous for that steak. The line, even in the cold, was long enough to extend into the middle of the street. We dutifully queued up and right behind us came an English-speaking couple, seemingly American. We got to talking and, yes, they confirmed that they were American. In fact, they were from Los Angeles. “Oh,” say I, “I’m from Sherman Oaks. Where in L.A. are you from?” The woman gets a look of consternation, hesistates, and says, “Er, we’re from just north of you.”

Which is to say, Van Nuys. Even as far away as Paris, apparently, a person will go to some trouble to avoid admitting as much.

The Glendale News-Press ran an article today about a 20 year old woman was has been arrested for causing the death of an older man while she was texting and driving.  Police state that she ran a stop sign while texting.  The article reports that her arrest was 3 months after the accident and will be charged with felony gross vehicular manslauter.

This is the first such case in LA where an arrest has been made since the law was changed a couple of summers ago.  People still aggressively drive and use their cells for calls and texting.  Is this charge enough?  Should there be additional penalties such as time to serve for using a cell phone while driving?  What say you?

Image by WatchCaddy via a creative commons licence on flickr.

Get ready for another series. In time for the Holidays we at blogging.la are putting together the “Sweet Charity:Bloggingl.LA’s Guide to Giving”. All of us here have been somehow touched but the need to give back to the community. We each have our own favorite charity, non-profit or other organization that we feel gives back to the community. There we devote our energy, time and money to help them meet their goals.

The series will profile those groups that we at Blogging.LA contribute to. You, the readers can chime in with those that you give time too as well. If its one you are particularly passionate about send me a couple of paragraphs as to why you believe in them and I’ll post it as part of the series giving you credit for identifying them. Send it to me at frazgo(at) mail (dot)com.

Helen Keller summed it up best: “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart”.

Join us this Holiday Season by celebrating those groups that have touched our hearts.

Image used under a creative commons license by IronRodArt from flickr.

This Saturday marks the beginning of a travelling DJ project known as “Intros & Exits.”  The goal is to set up in random spots all over Los Angeles and surrounding areas.  Here’s a brief explanation:

“Ever wonder what it would be like to experience a club/lounge setting in a place that’s anything but loungey? That’s what our friend Jon Paul Joe asks with his Intros & Exits: An Outdoor DJ Project, which kicks off Saturday Dec. 18th. “Anyone in L.A. can sit in boulevard traffic and pay a wallet’s worth of cash to kick it in a Hollywood club. What we want to do is offer the same music in a decidedly unpretentious setting.” Far from the old-fashioned “rave” concept, Intros&Exits is non-profit and doesn’t require an audience. “The goal is to get out and play music in parts of the city and backcountry that would otherwise never hear a soundsystem. We have plans to play in the desert, and the redwoods when it gets warmer. We even have a set planned for the James Dean crash site in the middle of nowhere.” The first I&E event will be in a small parking lot in an industrial side of Glendale, near Burbank. The set will begin at sunset (4:30) and go until 9ish, with an afterparty nearby.

When: Sat Dec. 18th 4:30-9
Where: 1714 Standard Avenue, Glendale CA
Who: open minded chillsters looking for something different

more info at http://introsandexits.blogspot.com/

“

I have known about this for about 2 months now and am super excited for it.  I hope you can make it down.  The more positive energy we can muster the greater the experience.

The inimitable Peaches returns with something only she could have thought up–and only she would have the rocks to do.  The reigning queen of electro-rock-raunch is singing the entire rock opera of “Jesus Christ Superstar,” from beginning to end, all by herself–accompanied only by virtuoso pianist & rapper Chilly Gonzales, playing piano.

If you’re looking for another camel-toe-tastic, colorful and bombastic performance by Peaches–this won’t be like the past shows you’ve seen. It’s her alone on a stage, singing the original songbook of the musical, with tonality and emotional range you don’t see as much of in her original work. But if you can imagine her powerhouse voice belting out these power-ballads, you know you’re in for an amazing, one-of-a-kind show.

To win, tell me what musician or band you’d like to see perform a classic rock opera, classical opera, or Broadway musical. For example, I’d love to see Adele do a stripped-down, soulful bluesy version of La Boheme, or David Bowie doing Cats.  That would be epic.

Info on the show is here.

Photo by helenadagmar on Flickr via a Creative Commons license.

I finally checked off an item that’s been at the top of my Los Angeles area to-do list by going to Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank/Toluca Lake.  And what better way to be introduced to this new pleasure than a meetup with my fellow blogging.la-ers?

I think I just sucked on a lemon

We got together last Saturday afternoon in summer-like weather.  Almost all of the b.la bloggers made it there, and we had a table of 10 or so.  Some of these folks were obviously Bob’s veterans, such as Will, who ordered an elaborate-looking double burger from memory, then scarfed it in record time (though, to be fair, he bikes everywhere & is entitled to replace those burned calories), and Jodi, who lives nearby and wrote a great post last August about how Bob’s is one of L.A.’s greatest landmarks.

Bob from the side, sporting his 80s Morrissey 'do

Although Bob’s seems to be most famous for burgers, fries, and shakes (I know, chili spaghetti too), some of which were represented at our table, I opted for pancakes.  Mine were very good, although the “fruit” on the side consisted of “Caine Mutiny“-style canned strawberries.  Quick, somebody call Captain Queeg.  We also learned some interesting Bob’s trivia.  For instance, there may or may not be a secret dessert there called “Ross’s Ass.”  Supposedly, a server named Eli can hook you up, but really, do you want him to?

Check out Bob checking out Tammara

When we finished, we took the obligatory photo with Bob.  It was a great get-together at a well-deserved L.A. area landmark.  And fear not, readers, Bob’s is still high up on our list of future Classic Eats candidates.

Fans of powerhouse country divas, rejoice–The Judds‘ reunion tour, The Last Encore, is making its way to Club Nokia this Wednesday & we scored a couple pairs of tickets just for you dedicated fans. They’ll be playing songs from their upcoming album, as well as old favorites.

Wynonna was quoted as saying, “This tour gives me a chance to enjoy where Mom and I are in our relationship. I look forward to celebrating our personal and professional journey…together.”

And you thought the holidays with YOUR family were weird.

To win, tell me what makes you a deserving Judds fan. We’ll choose a few lucky folks to see the show.

Info on the show is here.

Sunrise over Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier

Working night shift has its positives and negatives.  Negatives include being awake all night while my friends and most businesses sleep, awkward eating habits and sleeping through gorgeous days like today.

However one of my favorite positives of being on a night schedule is I’m usually awake for the sunrise.  Since it was so warm out this morning, I ventured 1 block over to snap some pictures.  I’ve included a few here.  Check out the rest here.

In front of my house, looking down the street.

Buoy's on the Belmont Pier

I wasn't the only one enjoying the sunrise.

Westboro Baptist Church arrives in LA to Spread Hate for the Holidays

If you were planning on attending “The Laramie Project” a play memorializing the tragic hate killing of Matthew Shepard several years ago be prepared to meet protesters from the Westboro church.  ABC7 has a news clip HERE. The production company, Mechanicals Theatre Group, is prepared and has a plan in place to counter the group.

They ask that you wear a Yellow Ribbon, such as worn at Matthew Shepard’s murder trial all those years ago, in peaceful response to the protesters from this so called church.  Full official statement here from their web site HERE.

Don’t you just “love” them abusing their freedoms of religion and speech to spread a message of hate during the holidays?

I so totally meant to post this earlier this week!  This Saturday (tomorrow) is the annual Naples Holiday Boat Parade.  It starts at 6pm, and from what I’m told it’s very cute and fun.  I’ve been to the Newport Beach Boat Parade in the past and if it’s similar to that, it’s great to see what people come up with.

For those wondering why I’m posting about a random Italian city, Naples is a small community in South Long Beach made up of really nice homes.  Similar to the Italian city, it has canals that run through the community.  It is a very nice place that I suggest you check out sometime, even if you can’t make it for the holidays.

I was hoping to attend this year, but my new job is having their holiday party tomorrow night.  If you go, please tell us how it was in the comments!  I’ll even update with some of your pictures if you’d like.

This weekend: an absurd number of local fairs to get your local shopping on.  Also: Santacon.

WEEKEND FAIRS

• Artisanal LA and Unique LA tag-team this weekend downtown to bring you a curated mall.  Artisanal LA is for the foodies; Unique LA is for the crafties.  Hit one; better, hit both.  See full details here.  Tickets $6-10 and both downtown at the Cooper Building and California Market Center.
• It’s almost the same, but not really: the Renegade Craft Fair is sort of like Unique LA, except it’s outdoors, a little smaller (150 vendors to Unique LA’s 300), and offers free admission.  Free.  From 10am to 5pm at the LA State Historic Park, 1245 N. Spring Street.
• Tired of downtown?  Valley citizens get the Rotary Arts and Crafts Fair in Woodland Hills.  With over 50 artists, you’ll find a variety of home-made ceramics and other artistic-type gifts.  From 10am to 4:30pm at Warner Center Park at the intersection of Topanga Canyon Blvd. and Oxnard St.

EVERYTHING ELSE

Saturday

• Santcon.  It’s too late to bum a ride off of one of the sleighs, but show up at Pershing Square at 11am dressed up as St. Nick to join in on the fun anyway.   Or, for additional holiday fun, I suggest you dress up as Rudolph, and see if anyone wants to play any reindeer games.  Maybe you’ll meet the Santa of your dreams.  Fun starts at 11am at Pershing Square.  If anyone asks who sent you, say Santa.
• Take that can-do attitude of yours and learn how to can and preserve foods for the holidays (sorry, couldn’t resist the pun) at the Farmers’ Kitchen, a community kitchen run by SEE-LA, the same non-profit that operates the Hollywood Farmers’ Market.  $75; you must reserve your spot here by 8am on Saturday.  The workshop is from 9am to 1pm at The Farmers’ Kitchen, located at Selma and Vine in Hollywood.
• The Silver Lake Craft Vintage Market has been going strong all year; Saturday’s will be the last one of 2010.  Consider hitting this flea market up before heading out to one of the craft fairs downtown.  From 10am to 4pm at the Micheltorena Elementary School’s parking lot, 1511 Micheltorena St. at Sunset.
• If you’re tired of all that shopping, swing by Food 4 Love, a fund- and awareness-raiser for the 7.7 magnitude earthquake that hit the Mentawai Island off of Indonesia in late October.  There will be food trucks, bands, and dancing.  11am to 5pm at the Indonesian Consulate, 3457 Wilshire Blvd.
• Didn’t grow up in a predominantly Asian community where you origami’d tiny pieces of notebook paper to pass the time during AP Calc?  For you then, the Japanese American National Museum hosts “Fold, Crease, and Crinkle”, a full day of origami workshops and demos.  Your friendly neighborhood Target is sponsoring the event.  Quick, someone origami a bullseye.  11am to 4pm at JANM, 369 E. 1st St. in Little Tokyo
• Always wanted to go to the Magic Castle, but didn’t know any local magicians to give you an invite?  Go, instead, to Theatre West, where a good group of the Magic Castle’s magicians and mind-fuckers gather to show off their best.  It’s a fundraiser for the theater, so it’s all for a good cause.  $15-20.  The magic (literally) starts at 8pm; there’s also a show at 2pm on Sunday, at Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd West in Hollywood.

SUNDAY

• GO TO THE HOLLYWOOD FARMER’S MARKET. This is the only thing you have to do today.  The market is currently in a turf battle with the neighboring LA Film School.  The school wants to secure access to one of its three parking lots on a street where half of the markets’ farmers vend, because it may, or may not, need access to that lot on future Sundays.  Regardless of the “maybe”, the school does own that property and has a legal right to access it.  If the school’s request is granted, vendors on that street will be displaced; if a suitable re-location can’t be found, the market will be severely truncated.  The market is a communal property, one of the best farmers’ markets in the city, much beloved by the shoppers (me) and chefs who object ferociously to the school’s plans.  LA Weekly has an excellent recap of both sides’ arguments here; here’s to hoping the two work out something that is best for everyone, not just the school.  This is where property rights sort of fail all of us.  Tragedy of the commons, what?

A photo of a very Super Santa at last year’s Santacon, courtesy Al Pavangkanan via the Blogging LA Flickr pool.

Matt Mason first reported something amiss over the skies of  LA back on November 10 here.  Then on the 23rd of November Tammara reported seeing something in the night skies as well.   Since then two YouTube videos have surfaced claiming UFO’s over Santa Monica, first on 12/1 and again last night (12/2).

Bill Nye (the Science Guy) claims that last nights video is a fake. He suggests its sea monkey’s out of focus and super-imposed.  A fake UFO?  Or is it?

You view them both and decide.  Comments on the YouTube vids border on the fanatical delusionist and can be at least entertaining to read before you head off for the weekend.


And now for the December 1 sighting dubbed “The Silver Surfer”