Wednesday, August 19, 2009

A Dog's Life! Should I Go to Laurel Canyon Dog Park?

Laurel Canyon Dog park is the perfect meeting place for city dogs and valley dogs to meet. They get their masters or doggie parents to drive them up a curvy road till it peaks then valley dogs turn right and city dogs turn left. Keep an eye for the sign it is on the left and then you have to make a sharp left to head down into the mini valley called Laurel Canyon Dog park.

Check out the video. You can see it is a large dog park. There is a very small, timid and small dog section off to the right as you enter. The park has some great shady spots to keep out of the sun. The park is large enough that the human can walk laps with his/her dog if they want to get joint exercise. The park is unsupervised. The limit is 3 dogs to owner.
Laurel Canyon Dog Park, 8260 Mulholland Drive Los Angeles, CA 90046 (818) 769-4415
www.laparks.org/dos/parks/facili...

This dog park has a reputation. I have to be honest.

The negative:
  • I have seen over 15 dog fights there. The problem is the owners that go there (some not all) just don't pay attention. So the dogs do what dogs do. I have even seen a greyhound have it leg ripped to shreds by a black Lab that no one seemed to claim after the incident.
  • My dog was attacked by a Husky-Shepard mix. The dog picked up my Terrier mutt and shook her by the neck. Not a play move that is a kill move. The owner told me through his thick French accent, that it was my fault. (Because she is a 20 pound dog) He did not apologize and just went back to the picnic tables. I walked up to him took his picture and his dogs. I did so because a number of people told me that his dog had a history of being aggressive. He left. I never saw him or the dog again.
  • There are a good number of "wanna be" Hollywood types. You can tell because they are on their cell phones usually yelling their success into the phone for all to hear. There are also real celebrities and Hollywood folks there, too and they usually are quiet and to themselves - not yelling in their cells.
  • Some of the owners just stand around and talk. They are not there to play with their dogs but have their dogs play and play unsupervised.
  • There is attitude. I won't lie. I have seen it, heard it and had it yelled at me. Here is my thought if you are so super special why don't you have your "help" bring the dog to the park or want don't you own enough property that you don't have to come to the "commoners" dog park.
  • During the work week the dog walkers bring in 5 to 15 dogs. There is no way one or two people can watch all those dogs! Mind you the limit is 3.
  • When it is hot there are bugs galore and the trash cans really give you a gift of what is in their cans.

The positive:

  • There are some real nice folks and dogs there! Yes, it sounds like a contradiction but the are more positive people and dogs there.
  • It is a large park
  • Free parking
  • It is in the middle so valley friends and city friends can meet.
  • Great place to throw the bag and for your little pup to run his heart out.
  • There are some very nice people and dogs there at the park. It depends on the hour of the day.
  • My Terrier has made some very nice friends.
  • I have had some really great conversations with some super people as we both watched our dogs play and played with them.
  • In the morning it is just plain pretty up there.

My L.A. Now Tip: 1) Don't drink a lot of coffee there are not restrooms for people folk there. 2) Go to the park in the morning if you can. There are less dogs and the owners and dogs in the morning are more cooperative and behaved. 3) Try not to go during the week too few dog walkers with too many dogs. 4) Here is the Ranger's phone number for the park if you need it 323.913.7390. 5)Take doggie bags to pick up your dog's rear end business.

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Grand Performances 2009 Summer Series @ California Plaza


http://www.grandperformances.org/

Last night my pal and I went to see Zap Mama at the California Mart downtown on Grand Ave. It was AMAZING! As my pal and I stood and watch this great band I leaned over and told Sam, "I remember when they started building this place." Slap of reality...


The vibe was chill. This is the Los Angeles that I have grown up with and love. This is the Los Angeles that is multi-cultural, happy, generous, embracing, smart, hip, brave and just down right friendly. I enjoyed the music and the best people watching in town! What a beautiful L.A. night! Cool breeze in the air, clear, clear night and Zap Mama floating in the air against the tall sleeping ebony skyscrapers.

The vibe was so cool last night that while we were watching and listening to Zap Mama's almost two hour performance we were doubly entertained when a group of friends starting dancing near us. I caught it on video check it out!



I recommend this series: Grand Performances! Here are the details so you can pick a night to enjoy for FREE. Got to love L.A.!


California Mart or Plaza (You say tomato and I say to ma toe)
350 S. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90071

Parking
$7.50 after 5 pm
There is street parking if you are comfortable with it.
Also, there is a lot across from the Plaza that is $5.

MTA
Metro Red Line is the one that will take you there. The stop is Pershing Square. Look up and follow the stairs up to the Plaza. You can't miss it. If you are confused just start walking up the hill, cross the street and take the escalator up to the music and lights.
Cost: FREE BUT bring $5 to donate. Find a RED Bucket and donate if you want to keep this vibe alive!

Calendar for the rest of the season:
08/20 - 8:00 PM:
Inspiration House PoetryChoir: VoiceMusic for Whole Living
08/21 - 12:00 PM: Adaawe
08/21 - 8:00 PM: Rahim AlHaj
08/22 - 8:00 PM: Film Night: El tren fantasma (The Ghost Train)
08/23 - 8:00 PM: Film Night: Nömadak Tx
08/28 - 12:00 PM: El Colegio del Cuerpo
08/28 - 8:00 PM: El Colegio del Cuerpo








08/29 - 8:00 PM: El Colegio del Cuerpo

September
09/12 - 8:00 PM: Emily Dickinson: This and My Heart
October
10/12 - 8:00 PM: The Laramie Project Epilogue

My L.A. Now Tip: 1) Pack your own picnic. 2) Bring your own spirits but put them in plastic cups (for safety reasons) or leave in can. 3) Bring pads or low chairs. 4) Get there at least 40 minutes before to find a space. 5) Take the MTA so you don't have to worry about parking. 6) Bring a light wrap or jacket, it gets cool there at night.

Saturday, August 15, 2009

LAST MINUTE FREE STUFF TONIGHT!!

Zap Mama

Born in the Congo and raised in Belgium, Marie Daulne is the voice and soul behind this wildly eclectic group of Afro-European musicians. Originally an a cappella female quintet, Zap Mama now sport a vibrant instrumental section, drawing influences from Afrobeat, indie-pop, jazz and funk.

When:
August 15 : 8 p.m.
Price:
FREE
Event Phone Number:
213.687.2159
http://grandperformances.org/
California Plaza
Neighborhood: Downtown
300-350 S. Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90071
213.687.2159

One Quick Day in Los Angeles 8/8/2009

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Sunset Junction 2009


I actually remember the first meeting for the Sunset Junction. It was at Galaxa Studios. We were in rehearsal and Richard the owner had a group of Silver Lake residents discussing the potential event. That was years ago.

Now look at the festival! What a happening! If you have not been to this event it has some of the best music in town!

You can buy almost any kind of food your tummy wants then you can dance it off to a number of DJ's then rock your head up and down to some great bands!

Check out the website: http://www.sunsetjunction.org/

My L.A. Now tip: 1) wear something cool. 2) take the Metro and don't bother driving. It is impossible to get street parking. 3) Find a friend that lives in Silver Lake and stay at his or her pad and stumble back home safely!



Monday, August 10, 2009

Pink's for Sunday Breakfast! Breakfast of Champions & Tourists!


Some friends of mine from out of town came to visit. I doing my good Angelino duty took them on the quickie tourist run. Hollywood & Highland, Melrose Blvd. and PINK'S! On Saturday we drove by Pink's hoping for maybe only an hour wait. Yeah, that didn't happen. It was easily a two to three hour wait. I love my friends but being a local I was not going to wait in that line. SO! I drive by there all the time and the best time for no line is around 10 am to 11 am after that look out.

We then planned to have Pink's for Sunday breakfast! Breakfast of tourists! We waited in a ten minute line. Long enough to be pressured with guilt into buying a homeless man a bacon, chili, cheese dog. (The man has good taste.) My friends had a blast looking at all the different names of dogs and burgers. The "Rosie O'Donnell," The "Mayor Dog," so on and so on. While one was reading the names on the menu, the other was shouting the names of the celeb photos on the walls. (If Steve Martin eats there, then I eat there.)

There is something about eating junk food that early in the morning with a group of strangers. Chili dogs brings people together! We chatted with a couple from the Bay area(just like my pals) who had just dropped their daughter off for school. A great discussion of Casper's Dog and Pink's ensued. It was great! We were all bonded by the chili!

I had the Bacon Chili Dog Burrito for breakfast! Yum! (Don't tell my mother!) My friends had chili dogs, cheese dogs, chili fries and onion rings. Seriously, folks this is some good food. Pink's is great because it is a Los Angeles landmark, has some good food, is priced reasonably and is chalked full of characters.

Here is the link to check out Pink's: http://www.pinkshollywood.com/index.htm

Did you know that Pink's has been in the same location for 65 years?
Did you know that there is actually a Mr & Mrs. Paul and Betty Pink?
Okay, so here is the My L.A. Now tip: if you are going to Pink's try to get there before 12 pm.

Friday, August 7, 2009

$6 Movies

Hola Angelinos!

Here is my little secret: AMC Movie Theaters has $6 movies EVERYDAY! If you go to the movies before noon you get to see the movie for $6!

If you have an AMC MovieWatcher card you get FREE popcorn on WEDNESDAYS. Yes, a free small popcorn.

So on Wednesdays you can see a movie and have a small popcorn for ONLY $6.

A.M.Cinema
Start your day off right! A.M.Cinema is AMC's best ticket price on all shows before noon.

http://www.amctheatres.com/

Thursday, August 6, 2009

What the blog is this about?

If you love this city as much as I do and want to do fun and different stuff in this city then keep posted to my new blog site.



I will have fun stuff listed like:



  • summer free events

  • free L.A. happenings around town

  • mta fun stuff

  • secret little local spots



I will also have a message board where events can be listed.