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Life In LA: Going Places, Eating Food, Shopping Pleasures and More!!!

Ranked #75,564 in Culture & Society, #1,589,607 overall

There's more to do in LA than what's in the tour books. Yuk! The tar pits are actually pretty boring. What to do? We'll help you figure it out.

In this cement city, there's a restaurant on every corner. And some aren't really worth the price. Where to eat? We'll help you figure it out.

 Plus shopping hints, our little black book and more!

LensMaster note: Thanks for visiting my lens. This lens is still UNDER CONSTRUCTION and content is still being added. Be sure to come back! Should you have any thoughts or ideas, contact me at "Contact the LensMaster" in the right hand column.

THE VENICE CANALS: Marco Pl., Superba Pl., Noweta Pl. and Amorose Pl.

If architecture and landscaping trips your trigger, the essence of this scenic garden path will prove to be one of Venice's best-kept secrets.

Exceptional contemporary architecture lines these four walk streets; while the emphasis is on restoring and enlarging the old 1920s Craftsman bungalows, the project aims to preserve their original style. Sections of breathtaking landscaping and vegetation include fruit trees and wisteria vines that author a lush, exotic vibe prevalent throughout the vicinity. And don't be surprised if you run into Julia Roberts walking her dog while strolling this charming walkway; Walk Street is very "It."

Parking: Park along Oakwood Ave. or Linden Ave., which are parallel streets just west of Lincoln Blvd., and in between Rialto Ave. and Venezia Ave. (thanks to LowDown for this great info!)

OUT OF THE ORDINARY THINGS TO DO

Cloud 9 Living
Cloud 9 Living is an experience gift company that transforms unique and memorable experiences into unforgettable gifts. Whether it's sky diving or cooking lessons, formula racing or a day at the spa, our gifts are guaranteed to be extraordinary.

SEASONAL EVENTS

These events are one day to a few days and only happen once per year.
FALL: Project Playhouse
Check out these truly cool and wonderful playhouses ... it's a fundraiser!
Each year, HomeAid Los Angeles/ Ventura's Project Playhouse brings together members of the building industry to build and donate unique 8'x10' children's playhouses for public viewing and subsequent live auction. Project Playhouse successfully raises funds and builds awareness because of the generosity of many. Companies such as Landscape Development, Inc., Countrywide Home Loans, Weston/Mason Marketing, One Eighteen Advertising, Stock Building Supply and Outdoor Dimensions make the work that HomeAid does possible.

This year's Project Playhouse village will be located at the Lakes at Thousand Oaks. The village tour times are Saturdays and Sundays from 12pm-6pm. The tours are $2 per person. All funds raised go directly to HomeAid Los Angeles/ Ventura's shelter development program.
Public SCAVENGER HUNT
how fun!!!!
"See your world with new eyes on a scavenger hunt. Teams of up to six people will tackle tricky, humorous questions about the objects and places discovered. Don't have a team? We'll help you find kindred spirits at the start of the hunt. No knowledge of any hunt location is required-you just need a sharp mind and a good pair of shoes."
Corn Mazes
Ten years later, The MAiZE has grown into the world's largest cornfield maze company. Now - 1,000+ mazes since its founding, a Guinness record and six countries later - The MAiZE has seen millions of people get lost in its corny creations.

GET CLASSY: CLASSES IN AND ABOUT LOS ANGELES

Jewelry Workshops
There are lots of beadmaking classes around ... but these vintage notions are just too cute!

Learn jewelry making ... looping, stringing and glueing. The basic jewelry workshop includes a set of tools, beads, findings and plenty of inspiration from vintage notions. Make earrings, bracelets, necklaces.
HOOLA HOOP CLASSES ... HOW COOL!!
Check it out ... become a hoola hoop pro while getting exercise! Hoopnotic Hoopdance is an incredibly effective work out!

BODY & SOUL

Glen Ivy Hot Springs Spa
Calgon take me away! Did you know that hot springs are within an hour of LA? This seems like a screaming deal:
Monday - Thursday: $35 per person
Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Holidays: $48 per person

Admission price includes: parking, use of all pools, sauna, steam rooms, Roman Baths, red clay mud bath and Wafa, towels, and lockers. Bring your own swimsuit, beach towel, robe, and an old swimsuit for the red clay mud bath.

THE ARTS

CALL TO ARTISTS FOR TABLE TOP SHOW
Amy, tne nighttime manager at Highland Grounds, has created a new opportunity for artists to share their work... "Highland Grounds is a venue that is well known in Los Angeles as being a gathering place for musicians as well as a great place to eat and drink. The Thursday night open mic. has been consistently popular for over 15 years. Singer/ songwriters share their latest songs every week to a room filled with their peers. I want to take that same type of energy and build a night for the visual arts in Los Angeles.

I am starting a monthly exhibition at Highland Grounds called " The TableTop Show ". The exhibition will take place once a month, more specifically on the first Wednesday night of the month."
monthly mini-craft fair
Felt Club is a monthly mini-craft fair featuring the best and brightest of the SoCal craft scene. Nearly two dozen crafters per month will show a wide variety of handmade goods, including handbags and jewelry, baby gifts and paper products, clothing and housewares, one-of-a-kind plushies and original artwork. The offerings may vary, but what our vendors have in common is quality, originality, and fun.

EVENTS & ACTIVITIES

Santa Monica Wine Appreciation Club
Chef JoAnna leads this wine appreciation club, a community of people sharing wine, food and conversation.
Los Angeles Wine Tastings and Dinners
Visit LocalWineEvents.com for a listing of events in the Los Angeles area.
FREE TO JOIN: Great Nights Out for about the Price of a Movie
Sign up at this LINK!GoldStar Events I've been getting Goldstar's emails for months ... they offer great events at REALLY good prices. Here's their pitch: "If you like live entertainment but settle for a movie or DVD more often than you'd like, you might be interested in joining Goldstar Events. Tell us what kinds of live entertainment you like and the areas where you live, work and play, and we'll deliver dozens (or even hundreds) of half-price offers to comedy, music, theatre, sports, spas and more. It doesn't cost anything to sign up, and you can do it in just a few seconds. You'll be getting out to great live entertainment and having a good time with friends and family right away."
You'd Never Guess That You'd End Up Here: Forest Lawn Cemetary
Well, in LA, you just never know WHERE you'll find something interesting. Especially at the local cemetary. Yes, you heard correctly. Visit Forest Lawn. They have a delightful assortment of various programs for children and adults. Even better, programs and parking are always free. Programs include clay sculpting, stained glass, Holocaust remembrance, jazz concerts and much more! Oh, don't forget to visit their ART MUSEUM.
Tasty LA for Singles: Enjoy Dinner Out and Meet New Friends ... and maybe Lovers!
A great way to meet new singles. Reasonably priced too! Weekly dinner parties designed to get Angelinos out socializing while exploring the deliciously diverse restaurants that call our city home.
Event Me
Wouldn't it be nice to be on an email list that ONLY sends information about events that you are specifically interested in? Now you can! Sign up with Event Me ...
Event Me's free service informs more than 40,000 subscribers about unique professional, cultural, and fun events in New York City, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, Portland, the San Francisco Bay Area, Seattle, and Washington, D.C. More cities coming soon.
Grand Performances FREE Concerts
I LOVE this! Quality music ... for free. Check out the electic schedule!!
Bar Hopping
Up for some bar hopping? This website lists discounts and special events at area places of libation .... They also have sites for NY, San Francisco, Chicago and Boston.

GOING PLACES

Kids (and adults!) Off The Couch: Planned movie/sightseeing outings
Don't be fooled by the name of the company ... these adventures sound like fun and a great way to explore the city. What a great idea!

Kids Off The Couch is designed for families as a way to get kids off the couch. Each "Popcorn Adventure" consists of watching a movie and then going on an outing related to the topic. Here are a few they've created:

South for the Winter
Fly Away Home + Birding at The Sepulveda Basin

Stop and Smell the Roses
The Secret Garden + Descanso Gardens

Saris and Samosas
Bend It Like Beckham + Little India
Visit LA online first, then decide where it's worth you're time to actually go
TurnHere's Web site is designed to assist both travelers and locals in exploring cities, neighborhoods and destinations.

SHOPPING PLEASURES

One of a kind vintage designs
I know the designer and I've seen these up close and personal ... and the dresses are out of this world pretty. Pretty vintage fabrics sewn into LA sheik designs.
Splendora's shopping suggestions
Here are the city's best places for bargains.

TOURIST LA

Want to see the "typical tourist" LA sites? Enjoy!
Quintessential LA experiences
Here's a TOP 10 list of places to take your relatives when they're visiting!
TurnHere.com
Want to explore LA? Koreatown! The Venice Canals! Wilshire Blvd! Learn what the locals know about these areas and more!

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

Local Hikes: Hikes and Trails near Los Angeles
The Localhikes web site provides information on local hiking opportunities near both large and small metropolitan areas in the United States. You can find the perfect trail by selecting your metro area below to browse the available hikes, or by using the search feature to find the trails closest to your home or office. The hikes on this site were contributed by volunteer LocalHikes reporters from around the country.
The Arboretum of Los Angeles
The Arboretum is a 127- acre botanical garden and historical site jointly operated by the Los Angeles Arboretum Foundation and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.

My Little Black Book

A personal listing of the people you need in your life to help take care of your every need.
Personal Chef
Eat out more than three times a week? Consider Chef Joanna ... the cost if about the same as eating out a lot, but the food is fresher and healthier.
Planning An Event?
If you want a worry-free event, here's how ... I saw Kathy plan her own wedding. Trust me, she's detail oriented! Read their fabulous testimonials.
LA Butler
LA Butler was established to provide a centralized, affordable and rewarding solution to Los Angeles residents seeking an array of residential and lifestyle services.
Incorporating a highly trained & knowledgeable staff, an extensive vendor network and hundreds of local discount affiliates, LA Butler is the innovative provider, enabling our members to enjoy a rewarding lifestyle at reduced prices.

WHERE TO EAT

Use Zagat's to find upscale, LA scene kind of restaurants. Most of my listings are local neighborhood, mom and pop kind of eateries. Most are limited on ambiance, but have either ethnic or good homestyle cooking. Please let me know if you have local favorites of your own (see contact the lensmaster).
Culver City: Cafe Brasil
Homestyle Brazilian. We got chicken with onions and the breaded chicken. Entrees come with black beans, plaintains, rice and salad. A good, hearty inexpensive meal in a colorful, cute little restaurant.310-391-1216
Anahim: The White House
I haven't gotten to eat here yet, but I love how this place looks .... reminds me of something I would see back home in Virgina. Let me know if you have your own reviews of The White House ...it certainly seems to have a great reputation:
"The menu features fresh seafood and specialties influenced by proprietor Bruno Serato's frequent trips to his hometown of Verona, Italy. The restaurant is included in Epicurean Rendezvous' "100 Best Restaurants in Southern California" and received three stars from the Mobil Guide."
Venice: 26 Beach Restaurant
I wasn't too excited about eating here until I got inside. It's charming. Food is GOOD and reasonably priced.
Marina Del Rey: Killer Shrimp
If you love shrimp, well, you'll LOVE Killer Shrimp. They don't have much on the menu. Basically it is shrimp and bread or pasta. But, boy oh boy, it IS killer shrimp.
The Breadbar Experience
I LOVE homemade bread .... BUT,
Bread is not the only event at Breadbar, which also features freshly-baked viennoiseries and pastries, and a full menu with breakfast, sandwiches, salads and soups. ce into a wine bar experience as well.

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Katharine

Katharine
is a marketeer, brand expert, & entrepreneur with over 17 yrs
experience in high-tech, Internet, software, telecommunications,
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