SoCal artist Eric R. Doolin takes third at Florence Biennale

Eric R. Doolin has won 3rd place for his gorgeous oil painting at the Biennale Internazionale d'arte contemporanea. Congratulations on his accomplishment for this category after his first appearance at the show.

Doolin's large-scale paintings of upclose organic forms take the viewer on a cosmic tour of the inner workings of orchids or the infinite unfolding of succulent leaves. However, they are anything but your typical florals. These works approach beauty in a uniquely conscious and deliberate way. The work emphasizes the sensuality and mathematical design of nature. The use of translucent colors seems to shine from within, as if lit from behind like stained glass. 

The Southern California artist is compelled by a philosophical take on the relevance of nature in our visual and spiritual lives. Plant life and seashells are motifs of microcosms, which lend themselves generously to painting. The surfaces become bold landscapes of subtle and sexy curvature. Original art, giclees, and eco-friendly furniture designed by Eric R. Doolin are all available at:

www.thefractalgallery.com

The winning piece is shown below.

Ashley Oelsen & Lesley Brog: Two extraordinary women uniting animals and humans for a lifetime of love

Posted by Don Rose

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Below is information regarding two very special ladies: Ashley Oelsen and Lesley Brog, who do incredible work with animals. They also encourage others to take action in their hometown when it comes to rescuing animals, and understanding the bond between humans and dogs. As the holidays approach, many animal lovers give pets as gifts, so it's the perfect time to make sure you're providing a happy home for everyone.

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Meet Ashley Oelsen (Sol Foundation), and Lesley Brog (Wags & Walks) who, together, have embarked on a journey to help save millions of rescue dogs by building awareness through education and community outreach. Each inspired by their love for animals, Ashley and Lesley, through their respective foundations, bring something unique and diverse to their day-to-day operations.

“Saving one dog won’t change the world, but it will change the world for that one dog.” That’s Wags and Walks Rescue’s favorite quote and they never lose sight of it!  Founded by Lesley Brog in 2010, Wags and Walks launched because Lesley knew she wanted to do more for animals.  As the daughter of a vet and a volunteer at various dog rescues, Lesley learned the harsh reality that amazing, well behaved, beautiful “pets” were being dumped at local shelters.  A devastating number, 5000 dogs, are euthanized every day in shelters due to lack of funds and space.  Wags and Walks dedicates their time to physically visiting shelters, sometimes hours away.  They take pictures, get to know the dog’s temperament, work with staff, network the dogs that are the most in danger and put a plan in place to avoid having to put them to sleep.

“I don’t just talk the talk,” says Lesley.  “I am a take action kind of girl!  I am also proud to teach my little girls empathy, compassion and kindness to animals first hand.  This is what every mother wants to teach her children.”

Sol Foundation (Sharing Our Love), named after her rescue dog Sol, was founded by Ashley Oelsen in 2008 and is one of the most unique foundations uniting rescue dogs and children.  The bond between humans and animals can be so strong not to mention life changing for both.   Ashley created Sol Foundation to do just this and more.  Her mission is to prevent cruelty to animals through education, awareness and advocacy.  She created a very distinctive way to teach kids an established sense of responsibility, and kindness towards animals and other humans that begins with weekly visits, with Sol by her side, to local schools and community centers helping students in the curriculum of reading and writing. In addition to the basic stepping-stones of education that will hopefully lead to the success of future generations, Ashley and Sol commence that initial connection between kids and animals. Unfortunate but factual, many of these kids and rescues share similar backgrounds such as physical abuse, abandonment and lack of attention.  Aside from the tutorial benefits that Ashley brings to the table, these students are able to bond with the animals, respect them and learn that with hard work and responsibility they can find unconditional love in one another, something they may have never experienced.

Ashley travels as far as Canada to get many of her rescues to their new home.

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Ashley Oelsen and Lesley Brog are true heroes. They’re passionate and determined, and their mission to save homeless pets and unite them with loving owners will never end.  They have made a commitment for life.

For more information on these foundations 

please visit www.SharingOurLove.org 

and www.wagsandwalks.org

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PHOTOS:

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Several rescues Ashley personally escorted to new homes

Lesley Brog with one of her rescued dogs

Ashley and Sol

TONIGHT DEC 3: Jeff Rector's Winter Wonderland Holiday Party

Yes, Jeff's festive December bash is back!

JEFF RECTOR & DJ WATERBURY Invite you 

to their annual

WINTER WONDERLAND HOLIDAY PARTY!

SATURDAY DEC. 3rd 

8:00 pm – 2:00 am

Dress to impress: Cocktail Attire

Stroll up The Red Carpet 

Enter the Winter Wonderland decorated for the Holidays! 

Full Open Bar – Christmas Spirits served up by Santa’s Helper

A Gourmet Buffet - (Roasted Chicken, Baked Ham, salads, 

sumptuous side dishes and an assortment of delectable desserts!)

Santa’s Punch - will make you believe you can fly like a Reindeer!

MUSIC & DANCING to DJ WATERBURY 

with a multi-colored light show on the DANCE FLOOR! 

LOCATION: Jeff Rector's Winter Wonderland 

4917 Woodman Ave. Sherman Oaks 91423 

(Woodman exit off 101 Fwy. just past Riverside Dr.) 

  

Gentlemen: $20.00 donation 

Ladies: $10.00 donation 

(Complimentary with a bottle of wine, side dish or dessert)

This Event Benefits The Frontline Foundation 

which feeds the homeless on skid row. 

For more information: www.frontline-foundation.com       

RSVP: with your full name and how many guests 

to JeffRector@JeffRector.com or 

1-818-601-2082

Get Your Holiday Spirit On!

YULE LOVE IT!

The Pixar Blog: Steve's Pixar Legacy

The Pixar Blog: Steve's Pixar Legacy: Diana Walker —Contour by Getty Images for TIME The worlds of media, technology, and entertainment have been overwhelmed by the  sad new...

Paul McCartney Discusses His "Ocean's Kingdom" in New Interview (VIDEO) (Exclusive)

McCartney Announces Ocean’s Kingdom, his first orchestral score for dance released October 4 

 

Marking his first foray into the world of dance, Paul McCartney has announced the general release of Ocean’s Kingdom, commissioned by the New York City Ballet. The recording will be released by Hear Music/Telarc and is conducted by John Wilson, produced by John Fraser and performed by The London Classical Orchestra.

 

Ocean’s Kingdom is the first time Paul has written an original orchestral score or any kind of music for dance and is the result of a collaboration between Paul and New York City Ballet’s Master in Chief Peter Martins, who have worked together to present the world premiere of a new ballet for the company’s 2011/2012 season this September.

 

Though the work is Paul’s first ballet, he approached the project in the same way he writes all other music, driven by his heart rather than his head and inspired by feeling rather than specific technical knowledge. While this may have been another new turn for his staggeringly varied career to take, Paul knew it had to be influenced by his own personal experience and that he needed to create a story the audience would find equally compelling and moving.

 

Paul’s first step was to visit the Royal Opera House to see Adolphe Adam’s Giselle, danced by the Royal Ballet. Afterwards, Paul met the dancers and discussed the work with them, realising as he did so that he was still without a central theme to his work. Keen to tell a story through his music, Paul decided to focus on the purity of the ocean and within just two months, the first draft had been completed. He then went through the music again thinking specifically of the ballet itself, thereby creating a world featuring distinctive characters and a vibrant underworld kingdom.  Finally Paul spent many more weeks working alongside Peter Martins to refine the work, before Peter created the choreography with the NYCB dancers.

 

An hour long score featuring four stunning movements – “Ocean’s Kingdom,” “Hall of Dance,” “Imprisonment” and “Moonrise” – the ballet tells of a love story within the story of an underwater world whose people are threatened by the humans of Earth. A potently expressive and richly varied work, the score is Paul’s most challenging and emotionally complex yet. As he explains: “What was interesting was writing music that meant something expressively rather than just writing a song.  Trying to write something that expressed an emotion – so you have fear, love, anger, sadness to play with and I found that exciting and challenging.”

 

The premiere of the ballet Ocean’s Kingdom will take place at NYCB’s Fall Gala on Thursday 22^nd September 2011 while the release of the orchestral score will follow on October 4^th, available digitally, on CD and on vinyl.  It was recorded in June in London.

 

The artwork that accompanies the release is equally striking and inventive. Though it seems to suggest a city skyline, it is actually a digital readout of the notes from the ballet score.

 

Although this is his first orchestral score for dance, Paul is already quite at home in the world of classical music.  His back catalogue already carries four classical albums, the most recent of which was the Classical BRIT Award winning ‘Ecce Cor Meum (Behold My Heart)’; a work for chorus and orchestra in four movements that was released in 2006.

 

TRACK LISTING

 

1. Movement 1 Ocean’s Kingdom (14:07)                       
2. Movement 2 Hall of Dance     (16:19)
3. Movement 3 Imprisonment     (13:36)
4. Movement 4 Moonrise            (12:29)            

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO INTERVIEW Featuring Paul McCartney:

OCT 6: Sustainable Works Fundraiser at Lexus Santa Monica

Thursday, October 6, 2011 - 4th Annual Fundraiser for Sustainable Works
(a Community Partners project - a 501(c)(3) non-profit, non-partisan organization)

Location of Event:
Lexus Santa Monica
1501 Santa Monica Blvd
Santa Monica, CA

6 - 11pm

TICKETS:
General: $75 in Advance | $90 at the Door
Member: $60 in Advance | $75 at the Door
Students: $30 in Advance | $45 at the Door

Catered by Rustico Café & Bakery - Vegetarian & Vegan options
Beer donated by Library Alehouse - Wine donated by a private sponsor 

BIG THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL SPONSORS!!
A special shout out to our friends at the Sheraton Delfina,

who are not only a corporate sponsor, but also donated a

2 night stay to our silent auction PLUS a one night stay for our evening's drawing.

We are feeling the love over here at Sustainable Works! Thanks Sheraton Delfina!!! 

AND A BIG THANK YOU TO OUR ENTERTAINMENT SPONSORS!
We have received so many wonderful donations that it would be IMPOSSIBLE 

to feature every single one so please visit our website to see an extended list

of all the fantastic businesses that have generously donated to our silent auction! 

Website: http://www.sustainableworks.org/events/fundraiser/2011  

Apple Announcements Analyzed: iPhone 4s x 3, iOS 5 & iCloud Get a Date, Cards App, Getting Siri-us With Voice & Sprint to the Finish Line (At Last)

Tech Thoughts by Don Rose

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Well, a lot of words went by today, from Apple CEO Tim Cook and a cast of other players, and here are the main highlights, as I see it.

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First, the iPhone. As usual, this was what the attendees in Cupertino were salivating for, the meat of the presentation - perhaps a bit leaner meat than in the recent past, but the upshot is this new pricing structure:

iPhone 4s (new generation): 16 GB, $199 ; 32 GB, $299 ; 64 GB, $399.

iPhone 4 (old 2010 model): 8 GB, $99.

iPhone 3Gs (old old model, gen -2): 8 GB, FREE!

The above pricing assumes 2 year contract, natch.

Among other improvements, the new iPhone 4s sports a faster dual-core A5 chip, with up to 7 times faster graphics, and features a cool new assistant named Siri, who I will get to in a minute.

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Other news: Sprint is finally getting in on the action; the nation's third largest cell provider will offer the iPhone to its customers for the first time, something widely rumored - but still no Tmo. The "Joy iPhone Club" is now up to 3: AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.

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Meanwhile, iCloud and iOS 5 officially have a date. Don't get excited, it's not love, just a drop date. iOS 5, the next generation of the operating system powering Apple's mobile must-haves (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch), will be a free update available October 12 for download. Apple promises over 200 new features. iCloud will be available the same day.

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CARDS is a new free Apple app that lets you create and send cards (real not virtual) right from the palm of your hand. Yep, snap a photo and create a beautiful letterpress card, then mail it anywhere from your iPhone or iPod touch. The cost: $2.99 for mailing that card anywhere in the USA, $4.99 to the rest of the world. Not a bad deal when you consider it includes the card, the envelope, the postage, the effort of delivering the card, and a push notification on your phone to tell you when the card is delivered! Expect this to be a huge holiday helper (hell yeah!).

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SIRI voice control for the iPhone was arguably the biggest announcement today. Siri is a new virtual assistant you talk to, enabling you to do a ton of tasks via your iPhone, using voice dialogue. Set up appointments, convert currency, search websites, dictate email and more — just by talking to your phone. Fast, easy. Kinda like dealing with a female HAL 9000, but thankfully much much smaller (and, I assume, more benevolent). The voice itself is not perfect, but does sound decent enough to not get annoyed.

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These are just a few highlights from today's announcements, but perhaps the most interesting Apple after-effect was the emotional reaction when it ended. Several tech pundits put down today's event as less than stellar, less than groundbreaking, and perhaps it was a bit of a letdown after so many home runs in a row. For example, many people expected an iPhone 5 along with the 4s we got, which led to disappointment among some. But perhaps the prevalent putdowning of the presentation is more a testament to the 800 pound gorilla who was not in the room. This was, after all, the first Apple announcement in a long long time without Steve Jobs at the helm, and it showed. Perhaps the "reality distortion field" was gone. Perhaps new CEO Cook just doesn't have the charm and charisma of Jobs. 

But let's get real, folks: the new iPhone 4s will sell millions of units, the 4s is the best iPhone ever made (maybe not a quantum leap beyond last year's model, but still a leap), and the iPhone 5 will eventually come. We just come to expect so much from Apple that, when they deliver an A instead of an A+, everyone cries failure. If only we all could fail so successfully.

SINGAFEST Film Festival 2011: Saturday Event Report

Photos/Report by Don Rose

The first SINGAFEST featured a full Saturday of films (at Westwood's Crest Theatre), panels (at Westwood's stellar eatery Napa Valley Grille) and a fun festive late night party (again at the NVG). The day began with a shorts program, followed by the well attended afternoon luncheon, featuring two panels focusing on the current state of the Asian film industry.

Professional panelists, post-panel, pose patiently.

Then came 3 more films, the closer being 1981's "Samurai Reincarnation" (aren't you just dying to say Samurai Resurrection? sounds much better), starring Sonny Chiba, owner of the sternest face I have ever seen onscreen. I loved the surprises after the film. After a short martial arts demonstration, the audience enjoyed a brief DVD screening featuring Sonny and his daughter fighting in a remarkably well done short, which almost felt like a mini sequel to the film just screened. Sonny himself then took to the mic, live at the theater, to thank the audience, acknowledge his recent celebration of FIFTY years in showbiz, and promise more films in the future.

Above: Sonny Chiba (R) at the SINGAFEST Saturday night party.

Below is a photo album with some highlights from Singafest Saturday. Enjoy.

SINGAFEST oct1 2011 pix

  View album

SEP 29 - OCT 2: SINGAFEST Brings Best in Asian Film, Plus Parties & Panels, To Westwood

Don't miss the Singafest Asian Film Festival Sep 29 - Oct 2, 2011 at Bigfoot's Majestic Crest, a beautiful Art Deco-inspired movie palace in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

The focus of this first Singafest will be new Asian and Asian-American films from a number of countries -- the U.S., China, Korea, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and more -- and will include features, shorts, documentaries, 3D cinema and animation, plus in-person guests and seminar panels with visiting filmmakers and Hollywood industry professionals. The goal is to introduce films and emerging filmmakers to an L.A. audience that wouldn't normally have a chance to experience them.

The festival aims to promote different Asian cultures, each with their own unique worldview and different methods of storytelling. Singafest will be a cinematic melting pot, merging Eastern and Western cultures to showcase the best of both worlds to the Asian community and beyond. It will be a celebration of Asian culture as a whole, presenting the best films from across Asia to engage audiences to new ideas and perspectives.

The 4-day event will be judged by a panel of internationally-renowned professionals. This inaugural showcase welcomes the participation of filmmakers across Asia and the U.S. to premiere their films in in the film industry's capital. Singafest will serve as an international platform to celebrate Asian culture, showcasing the works of established and up-and-coming Asian and Asian-American filmmakers.

More info at www.singafest.com.    --Don Rose

TODAY Sep 29: Free Coffee 7-11am at 7-11, All Day at Krispy Kreme

Got a jones for java? Today's your day. National Coffee Day, that is. To celebrate this (made-to-order) "holiday" (as in take your order), drop by some 7-Eleven stores (in any order) today between 7am and 11am for a free medium coffee, or all day to any Krispy Kreme store for more gratis grinds (donut not required). 

And to learn more about this ubiquitous beverage, go to (what else) the Jones 4 Java website for a brief history of coffee. 

--Don Rose

Neil Patrick Harris, "How I Met Your Mother" Star, Gets Star On Walk of Fame; Season 6 DVD Released Sep 27

Posted by Don Rose

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Neil Patrick Harris Has His Star On Hollywood Walk of Fame

COINCIDES WITH RELEASE OF "HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER SEASON 6: THE NEW IS ALWAYS BETTER EDITION" ON DVD SEP. 27

(Hollywood, CA, Sept. 15, 2011) – Neil Patrick Harris, co-star of “How I Met Your Mother” was honored today by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with his first star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The ceremony was held in celebration of the upcoming DVD release of HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Season 6: The New is Always Better Edition on September 27.

Equally successful on stage and screen, Neil Patrick Harris continues to demonstrate his creative versatility. He can currently be seen as the womanizing Barney Stinson on the hit CBS comedy series, “How I Met Your Mother,” a role which has garnered him four Emmy Award nominations, two Golden Globe nominations, a People’s Choice Award for Favorite TV Comedy Actor, and a Critics’ Choice Award for Supporting Actor in a Comedy.

In 2010, Neil won his first two Emmy Awards for his guest-starring turn on the critically-acclaimed series, "Glee," and his role as host of the 63rd Annual Tony Awards.  In addition to hosting the 2009 Tony Awards, Harris also served as host and producer of both the 65th Annual Tony Awards and the 61stAnnual Primetime Emmys.  Named one of the “2008 Entertainers of the Year” by Entertainment Weekly, Neil was included in Time Magazine's 2010 Time 100 List, an annual list of the world's leading thinkers, leaders, artists, and heroes.

Harris gained notoriety on the small screen as the much-adored title character in “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” a role which also garnered him a Golden Globe nomination. Harris’ additional television credits include the NBC comedy series, Stark Raving Mad, Joan of Arc, Showtime’s The Man in the Attic, the classic TNT telefilm Cold Sassy Tree opposite Faye Dunaway, My Antonia with Jason Robards and Eva Marie Saint, The Wedding Dress with Tyne Daly, and CBS’s top-rated telefilm of 2005 The Christmas Blessing.  Neil has also made notable guest appearances on such shows as "Glee," "Will & Grace," "Ed," "Sesame Street" and "Boomtown."

A veteran of the theater, Harris recently tackled the leading role of Bobby in the New York Philharmonic’s concert production of Stephen Sondheim’s Company at Lincoln Center.  Harris has starred in three Broadway productions, including the dual roles of The Balladeer/Lee Harvey Oswald in the Tony Award-winning musical Assassins. He made his Broadway debut in the Pulitzer Prize-winning production of Proof, and later starred as the exuberant emcee in Cabaret at Studio 54. 

Harris rounds out his accomplishments on stage and television with an equal measure of success on the silver screen.  He was recently seen in two feature films – the independent comedy, The Best & The Brightest, and the animation/live-action adaptation of the beloved cartoon series, The Smurfs, co-starring Hank Azaria, Jayma Mays, and Sofia Vergara, and featuring the voices of Katy Perry, George Lopez, and Alan Cumming. Harris  also recently starred in CBS Films’ Beastly, a modern-day retelling of the "Beauty and the Beast" tale, based on the novel by Alex Finn, and co-starring Alex Pettyfer, Vanessa Hudgens and Mary-Kate Olsen.  He will soon be seen in the highly anticipated third installment of the Harold & Kumar film series, A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas. 

HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER Season 6: The New Is Always Better Edition comes with all 24 episodes and is filled with hilarious never-before-seen footage including deleted scenes, featurettes, a gag reel, commentaries, an extended performance of “Stand By Me” and much more.

NOW: Free Ice Cream 5--8pm at Coldstone Creamery Stores

From their website: "we’re hosting the World’s Largest Ice Cream Social to support the Make-A-Wish Foundation on Tuesday, September 27 between 5 and 8 p.m. where customers will get a free taste of our Sprinkled with Wishes Creation - Sweet Cream Ice Cream, Brownie, Rainbow Sprinkles and Fudge!"

OCT 2: Santa Monica 5000 - Run Event Returns For Great Cause

Sunday, October 2, 2011: 

5k starts @ 7:30am and the 10k starts @ 8:00am. 

Location: Santa Monica, CA - 2600 Barnard Way. 

Prices:

5k: $35.00

10k: $35.00

5k - Youth: $25.00

Online Reg. Closes:

September 30, 2011 08:00 PM Pacific Time

Santa Monica 5000 Event Description:

Fun / Fast Course: 

• 5k and 10k runs on the scenic roads of Santa Monica

• Post Event Party at the Pier

• Medals to top 3 in each Age Group

• Cash Prizes to top 3 overall finishers (male & female)

• Baby Jogger Division

• Benefiting the Santa Monica - Malibu Education Foundation

POST EVENT PARTY AND EXPO ON THE WORLD FAMOUS SANTA MONICA PIER! - Come to the Santa Monica Pier and check out the latest running gear (shoes and apparel), nutrition, some great food as well as some other great vendors. The expo will be open from 8:30am - 12 noon. The normal Pier operations will also be going on, so feel free to buy a ticket for a great Ferris wheel ride!

RACE CATEGORIES / DIVISIONS - We're offering different categories for all type of runners. Choose between Age Group (most of us), Elite (those really fast people), Walkers, Masters, and the Baby Jogger Division (bring out your baby and spend the day with other parents). There is no minimum age for the babies (but doctors recommend waiting to run until they can hold their head up). We will also have the 2.7k Kids Dash for the younger ones who want to participate in the fun. The start will be sectioned off by each wave starting with the Elites / Age Groupers / Baby Joggers / Walkers. And with chip timing, you're time doesn't start until you cross the starting line!

ELITE WEST COAST INVITATIONAL The elite wave features top athletes from around the Southland. Come see the top runners compete for prize money and world records!

CHECK OUT WWW.SANTAMONICA5000.COM FOR THE LATEST RACE INFO!

3 x ($2 & $1): Last Day for Jamba WOW Deals

3 great deals at Jamba Juice end today; 2 are $2, 1 is $1. Enough math, here is coupon:

SEP 26: New Westwood COMERICA BANK Set to Open 9am

The new COMERICA BANK branch on Glendon in Westwood Village (across from Trader Joe's) is set to open today September 26 at 9am, according to a flyer on their door. No word on any opening day specials or festivities/events.

EMMYS 2011, Part 1: Event Report from ALIVE! Expo Green Pavilion / Mix Media Emmy Lounge

Posted by Don Rose

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(Peterson Automotive Museum / Los Angeles, CA / September 15 & 16, 2011) - ALIVE! Expo Green Pavilion/Mix Media Luxury Lounge, owned by Kim Kreiss and Patrycja Towns and benefiting Project Green, celebrated the 2011 Emmy Awards in style as they hosted guests with an array of all that’s good and green -- from fashion to beauty, from health and wellness to beautiful art and luxury eco-lounging.


It was a delightful event, with a relaxed, friendly vibe and lively music from several artists, including the very young tween rock band Lockdown. ALIVE! guests took in the 360-degree view of the city from the Petersen Museum penthouse while vendors shared the latest and greatest and pampered guests with eco-friendly products. 


Celebrities in attendance included: director Penny Marshall, Grant Bowler (True Blood), Beverly Mitchell (7^th Heaven), Emmy winner Maurice LaMarche (Futurama voice actor), Drew Powell (Straw Dogs), Jason Davis, Efren Ramirez, James Black (The Starter Wife series, All of Us, Necessary Roughness), Booboo Stewart (The Twilight Saga), Zee James (Everybody Loves Chris), Stephen Bishop (Money Ball), Scott Krinsky (NBC’s Chuck), Ryan Cleary (Entourage), Dr. Yamma Brown and Jaimie Hilfiger and more.

Sponsors included Aubrey Organics (treated guests to luxurious Natural and Organic/Herbal Body Care products); Lipstick Bailbonds; Lusciouss' fun-flirty jewelry; Vittoria & Banks, jewelry art for your soul; Sequel Naturals, total health products; Solis Brands, healthy & functional consumer products; Prairie Organic Vodka; Blackwater, mineral infused water; Spyker, custom super-car; 3LM Cigars; Lennie Ross - author of the "Sex -and -the –city” style novel  "Blow Me"; Eden, Bodyshaping & Skincare; Naked Grape, organic wine; DJ Green; iTsye, reusable shopping bag system; "Only You Can Save Energy" PSA campaign; UnderCover-Adam Shaffer Fashion Specialist; Fashion Hope 501c3; Farrah Karina Jewelry; Spectacles Forhumans, sunglasses;Jamyime Jean's; Kelley Nicole Collection; B2V Salon; Bohmod Luxury Eco Furniture by Janna Phillips and Artist Eric Doolin of The Fractal Gallery; paintings by superb artist Daniel Maltzman; and Brenda Underwood gotwheatgrass.com.

Photos:

Drew Powell picking up an item from Aubrey Organics

James Black smiles as he tries on some ultracool sunglasses

Grant Bowler from "True Blood"

Kim Kreiss (Mix Media) & Stacy Broff of Diamond Girl Media relax in the Bohmod eco lounge

Beverly Mitchell gets excited about some Super C Immunity and Energy drinks

Penny Marshall picked up some cool jewels from Farrah Karina & Kelley Nicole Collection

Farrah Karina Jewelry (gorgeous wrap bracelets)

A piece from Kelley Nicole Collection (cool vintage crystal necklace)

EMMYS 2011, Part 2: More Photos from ALIVE! Expo Green Pavilion / Mix Media Emmy Lounge

Posted by Don Rose

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Here are some additional photos taken during the 2011 Emmy week ALIVE! Expo Green Pavilion / Mix Media Emmy Lounge.

Maurice LaMarche, Emmy in hand, about to enjoy Naked Grape Wine

Designer Jenda Michl's outside eco-lounge

Art by the terrific talented Daniel Maltzman (several of his large format creations graced the walls of the event)

Actor Efren Ramirez

James Black gets cuffed by Lipstick Bail Bonds




Bohmod owner and designer Janna Phillips in the eco lounge with Beverly Mitchell

Jason Davis enjoying Blackwater

Emmy winner Maurice LaMarche (Voice actor extraordinaire) trying Blackwater





Dr. Yamma Brown

EMMYS 2011, Part 3: $1200 VIP Gift Bag at ALIVE! Expo Green Pavilion / Mix Media Emmy Lounge

Posted by Don Rose

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This year's Emmy nominees, presenters, celebs and select VIPs who attended the 2011 Emmy week ALIVE! Expo Green Pavilion, along with experiencing all the cool creative booths and enjoying live entertainment on the Petersen Museum penthouse level, were also lucky enough to score an excellent VIP Gift Bag.

The red carpet worthy gifts in the sought after VIP bag included items from Naked Grape Wine, Mane & Tail Shampoo, Solis Brand supplement, Lusciouss Jewelry, iTySE reusable bags, Blackwater Mineral Chocolate Bar, 3LM Cigar, Aubrey Organic Body Care System, Eden Spa (Gift Certificate), Lipstick Bailbonds Security, GreenLeaf.net, Prairie Vodka, Sequal Natural Vega, Red Hair Girl Designs, "Blow Me" book author Lennie Ross, an "Only You Can Save Energy" DVD w/ Fortunate Angels, Vittoria & Banks Jewely, and a Norwood DVD.

The ALIVE! Expo, founded by Kim Kreiss and Patrycja Towns, takes place every year during the days before major award shows such as the Oscars and the Emmys. Their most recent Emmy 2011 event benefited Project Green 501c3.  More info at: www.ProjectGreenUSA.org.

See the full gallery on Posterous

A TALE OF TWO SPOCKS: Nimoy & Quinto at Hammer Tonight

Posted by Don Rose

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Leonard Nimoy's 'Secret Selves'

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Hammer Museum - Billy Wilder Theater

Hammer Lecture 

Admission is Free and open to the public.

Location: Hammer Museum, corner of Wilshire and Westwood Blvds.

More info: (310) 443-7016

Q&A with Zach Quinto (Heroes, Star Trek). 

Actor turned photographer/folk anthropologist Leonard Nimoy 

discusses his photographic project, Secret Selves. 

Inspired by the Greek mythological idea that ever since Zeus split humans in two each person 

has been searching for his or her other half to feel complete, Nimoy asked subjects to reveal their 

hidden halves in front of his camera. The result is a collection of more than 100 portraits and

interviews that explore humanity’s alternate self. Nimoy will discuss what was revealed about his 

own secret self while capturing others’. 

All Hammer public programs are free. Hammer members receive priority seating, subject to 

availability. Reservations not accepted, RSVPs not required. 

COOL COOKIE COMPANY: Cookie Good - cookiegood.com

I like their slogan - "Cookie Good - it's how you wanna feel".

They make a wide assortment of cookies (regular and gluten-free), brownies, gifts, trays and more.

Learn more about them at www.CookieGood.com. 

---Don Rose, Editor, WireLA.com  

SEP 2-5: THE TASTE: A Smorgasbord of Stellar Culinary Events in Beverly Hills, Hollywood & Downtown LA

Posted by Don Rose - FEATURED EVENT

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It is finally here! The biggest culinary event of the Labor Day weekend is about to begin.

THE TASTE launches tonight with its "Burgers and Beer" event.

For more info, go to: http://events.latimes.com/taste/burgers - 

event highlights (from this site) are as follows:

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2

Burgers & Beer

Presented by Peroni and Eater LA

Beverly Hills, 9900 Wilshire Blvd. | 7-10 pm | $125

See how Los Angeles’ most celebrated restaurants and chefs interpret what a ‘burger’ means to them. Try creations from Ford’s Filling Station, The Tasting Kitchen and more then vote on your favorite L.A. burger. Find out which craft beers Christina Perozzi and Hallie Beaune, also known as “The Beer Chicks,” have selected for the evening. And don’t miss Marc Boussarie, The Counter’s Executive Chef in a cooking demo on building a unique burger. Check below for scheduling details, a list of top L.A.’s restaurants as well as wineries, breweries and distilleries that will be at this event.

Your all-inclusive ticket offers: 

• Unlimited tastings from over 30 of L.A.’s best restaurants/chefs 

• Unlimited samples from over 30 top wineries, breweries and spirits 

• Unlimited access to beer seminars

• Live musical entertainment

21 and over only

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Also tonight, after Burgers and Beer, is The Art of Mixing at Paramount.

For info in this event, go to http://events.latimes.com/taste/artofmixing .

To access more info on all of THE TASTE's great events this weekend,

go to http://events.latimes.com/taste .

AUG 13: WestFest LA Brings Premiere Food & Wine Festival to Century City

Posted by Don Rose - FEATURED EVENT
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WestFest LA Premiere Food & Wine Festival features 100 wines and spirit purveyors, over 40 of Los Angeles’ chefs from fine dining restaurants and lifestyle exhibitors happening in the upscale Century City.

The festival was created to raise awareness and funds for the West Los Angeles Community Police Station Youth Programs, the most effective youth gang prevention programs for a safe and secure future in Los Angeles!

More info below, and at www.westfestla.com .

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WESTFEST LA PREMIERE FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Saturday, August 13, 2011 from 5:00 to 10:30 pm

5:00 pm:  Gates open for VIP ticket holders

5:00 to 6:00pm:  VIP reception, media & red carpet

6:00 pm:  Gates open for general ticket holders

5:00 to 9:00 pm:  Interactive food, wine and spirit presentations throughout the Festival

5:00 to 9:00 pm:  Live local music throughout the Festival

9:30 to 10:30 pm:  Desserts and coffee served during the live concert in Century Park

10:30 pm:  Conclusion

WestFest LA Premiere Food & Wine Festival features over 100 wines and spirit purveyors, more than 40 of Los Angeles’ chefs from fine dining restaurants, gourmet foods, celebrity signings, tasting tents, live local music and concert, VIP area, dessert, coffee and much more. The event will take place below the stars and lights of the Century City backdrop, a perfect setting with a warm summer night in Southern California.

At 9:30 pm, guests will be invited to Century Park where the live concert will take place on the main stage. Headlining artist will perform to celebrate the night and provide entertainment to the event. (Performing artists to be announced soon!)

The 2011 festival will be a night to remember while raising much needed funds for West Los Angeles Community Police Station’s Youth Programs which benefits the safe & secure future of the Los Angeles Communities.

"Give PC A Chance" (A 30th Anniversary Ode to the IBM PC)

by Dr. Don Rose, Senior Contributor, BYTE
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The PC, or Personal Computer, was born
Way back in A.D. '81
A mere 30 years or so ago
When computers all weighed a ton.

It came from the halls of IBM
with floppy drive, CRT,
and an OS named DOS from Microsoft
run by a kid named Bill G.

The first killer app was VisiCalc
A spreadsheet that blew all our minds
Because it would update and crunch in real time
And show patterns mortal minds couldn't find.

TIME Magazine named it "Machine Of The Year"
Which sure shocked a lot of old folks
Who thought only humans could get that award
While cynics just thought it was a joke.

Sure, there were tough times, when I hated PC
and wanted to toss it on the street
It made me scream and turn blue with its Blue Screen of Death
And of course, there's "Control-Alt-Delete".

But here's to you, old friend, you're still lookin' good
You've thrived, and even survived MS "Bob"
Yet you better be careful, 'cause still on your tail
Is that old nemesis named Steve Jobs!

Oh PC, I guess some things just never die
And that goes for you too, so don't weep
About cellphones, tablets and Macs -- you're my fave
'cause I know what you really stand for: "Pretty Cheap"!

**** Happy 3-0, PC! ****

JULY 30: 2nd Annual GRAMMY Block Party to Rock West LA for Charity

Posted by Don Rose
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Looking for a super Saturday activity to help a great cause, while rocking your socks off and enjoying great eats and libations?

Well look no further: head on over to the Grammy Block Party taking place July 30 at the Grammy HQ. It promises to be quite an afternoon, with five full hours of fun, fine food and festive funk!

For more information on the event (with ticket prices and other details), please go to: http://www.grammy.com/blockparty .

Hope to see you Saturday from 2 to 7 pm at 3030 Olympic Blvd in West Los Angeles.

And you can check out highlights from last year's Grammy Block Party in the video below.

<script src="http://player.ooyala.com/player.js?height=308&embedCode=htcjltMTqF-3WcSuUI787KDCBVUREJkE&video_pcode=JldmY6KL4Ufi6F7wGSY0m3nayjID&deepLinkEmbedCode=htcjltMTqF-3WcSuUI787KDCBVUREJkE&width=550" ></script>

JULY 31: Wally's 8th Annual Central Coast Food & Wine Celebration

Posted by Don Rose
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It's back! One of LA's best food and wine events of the year, and definitely the top food-wine event in Westwood! We highly recommend it. The food is excellent, the wine stelllar, the atmosphere fun, breezy and casual, the music invigorating. You will have a great time! A perfect Sunday awaits you, and you will be helping a very worthy cause to boot.

See below for details -- and for more information, see Wally's website.

Date: Sunday July 31st, 2011
Time: 1:00pm to 4:00pm
Location: Wally's, 2107 Westwood Blvd. Los Angeles CA 90025
Price: $95.00

New this year -- VIP Hour starting at 12noon!
Click here to learn more.

Taste nearly 150 of the Central Coast's finest wines! Savor signature dishes provided by renowned restaurants, including Hitching Post II, Spago Beverly Hills, CUT, Bouchon Beverly Hills, Lucques/A.O.C./Tavern, The Hungry Cat, Osteria & Pizzeria Mozza, Bouchon Santa Barbara, Artisan, Brothers’ Restaurant at Mattei’s Tavern, The Wine Cask, Manhattan Beach Post, Full of Life Flatbread, LaBrea Bakery, Pasolivo, Jar, Mezze, Mélisse, Wilshire, and Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill.

The fabulous Silent Auction contains unique one-of-a-kind wine-buying opportunities, and also includes special winemaker-led tours, tastings, luncheons and dinners not available anywhere else!

Travel package highlights include a stay at the famous Santa Ynez Inn, Hadsten House in Solvang, and a weeklong stay at a private residence in Martha’s Vineyard!

Live music by the Gary Burk Blues Band.

Once again we have set our sights high, so help us to achieve new record dollar totals this year. You can play a part by getting a group of friends together and signing up soon. You're guaranteed to have a wonderful time while supporting a very worthwhile cause. The Michael Bonaccorsi Scholarship Fund at the UC Davis Department of Enology now stands at well over $300,000, over 80% of which is attributable to the first seven Wally's Central Coast Wine & Food Celebrations. See you at lucky number eight.

INXS Rocks Packed Gibson Showroom to Launch LYRIC CULTURE's New ELECTRO SEXUAL Collection

Posted by Don Rose
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An exclusive performance by the band INXS was the highlight of last night's exclusive fashion show at the intimate Gibson Guitars showroom in Beverly Hills, where the music industry's very own fashion brand Lyric Culture rolled out its new Electro Sexual Clothing Collection inspired by the lyrics of the iconic Aussie rock band.

Lyric Culture, a fashion brand unique in its commitment to songwriters, used the occasion to raise funds to help songwriters in need as attendees, music industry insiders and celebrities like Jareb Dauplaise and Rachel True enjoyed a fantastic and provocative fashion show hosted by Lyric Culture founder Hanna Rochelle.

 

Tops, dresses and covers emblazoned with the lyrics made famous by INXS members Jon, Andrew and Tim Farriss, Kirk Pengilly, Garry Beers and former frontman Michael Hutchence, graced the new line by Lyric Culture with the sultry nuances of the band's captivating music and fashion forward looks that oozed sexy.

Enjoying artisan wines selected by vault29.com, INXS and guests got a close look at the line that complements the band's own foray into fashion -- and a new album "Original Sin" for which they are currently on tour in North America.

Lyric Culture's Electro Sexual Collection will be available this fall at Bloomingdale's and at specialty boutiques nationwide.

JULY 21: LA's Largest Mixer Returns to Shrine Expo Center; 13th Annual Mega-Event Offers 4 Hours of Super Networking, Food Sampling & Dealmaking

by Don Rose
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Yes, folks, it is time once again for LA's Largest Mixer, which is hands-down THE best business mixer in Los Angeles County each year. If you must pick ONE business event to attend, THIS is IT! Dave Linden has been running LALM for 13 years and, with the help of his friendly staff, always produces an excellent event. The mega-mixer's four hours seem to go by in minutes because there are so many people to meet, so many interesting and creative booths, so many Chambers of Commerce, so much to do, win and see (and eat! -- yes, there is great food included with your ticket, at 20 booths). You will make tons of valuable contacts (some folks make more this one night than the rest of the year), and have a terrific time doing it.

In short, you simply must go. We give it our highest rating. 

Read all the details below, and bring a friend or colleague -- they will thank you!

Mix and Mingle With 2500 Business People All In One Place!

The 13th Annual L.A.'s Largest Mixer® is Thursday, July 21 at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center.

IT ONLY HAPPENS ONCE A YEAR! Join us as we combine the networking power of nearly 40 Los Angeles area chambers of commerce and business organizations with the best networkers from all over Southern California to give you the ultimate business networking experience.

SHOW HIGHLIGHTS:

1. Thousands of Attendees: Mix and mingle with business professionals from in and around Southern California. Don't forget to bring lots of business cards!

2. Visit Over 200 Exhibitor Booths: From small to large companies and a wide variety of industries, visit the exhibitors of L.A.'s Largest Mixer® on both levels of the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center.

3. The Networking Lounge: Network in the official networking lounge of L.A.'s Largest Mixer® -- sponsored by Capital Cove Financial. It’s a great place to grab a drink while you network with potential clients.

4. Fantastic Giveaways: Drop your business card for a chance to win one of many fantastic giveaways from Primm Valley Resorts - Primm, NV, Texas Station Casino Hotel & Gambling Hall - Las Vegas or the Inn at Playa del Rey.

5. Enjoy the Tastes of 20 Delicious Eateries: Nourish your network and your body at the same time! With so many restaurants and caterers bringing samples of their signature dishes to the Mixer, your take home bag isn’t the only thing that’s going to be full at the end of the night!

L.A.'s Largest Mixer® XIII Thursday, July 21, 2011 5 p.m. - 9 p.m. Shrine Auditorium Expo Center, 700 W. 32nd St., Los Angeles, CA 90007

Mixer Admission: $20 per person (no credit cards or checks at the door).

For Exhibitor or General Information: 323.230.5656 or www.LAmixer.com

The Largest Mixer® is open to the entire business community!

Please visit us at: 

SOCL.com - Is Microsoft Working on a "Facebook Lite"?

by Don Rose
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Tech News Today (http://live.twit.tv) reported that a certain domain name - socl.com - was generating much buzz, as it apparently belonged to Microsoft and (accidentally?) revealed the existence of a new social network/service/thing called Tulalip.

Upon visiting www.socl.com at 854pm today, there was nothing on that site except for the following message:

Thanks for stopping by. 

Socl.com is an internal design project from a team in Microsoft Research which was mistakenly published to the web.

We didn’t mean to, honest.

So, fellow webheads, what do you think? Was it a leak meant to generate word of mouth? Or a bona fide "oops" moment?

I am leaning towards the latter.

And what do you think Microsoft Research is up to? Since Microsoft already owns a percentage of Facebook, and is partnering in several ways, it seems doubtful they would be trying to compete and create an alternative to Facebook. One idea: perhaps Microsoft wants to create a streamlined or lite version of Facebook that makes it easier to use, with less distractions for newbies and business folk (like all those game requests you don't want, from people you don't know that well). I like that Facebook offers lots of options and things to do, but a simpler version would appeal to a wide audience, especially on a mobile device. (So maybe Tulalip is a code name for a Windows Phone frontend for Facebook?)

Oh, and in case you were wondering (as I was) what Tulalip means, here is what I found (via Wikipedia):

Tulalip is a group of Native American peoples from western Washington state in the United States. Today they are federally recognized as the Tulalip Tribes of the Tulalip Reservation..  More »

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulalip

GETTIN' THRU CARMAGEDDON, Part 3: Free Valet & Other Deals at Westfield Sherman Oaks Mall

Westfield Fashion Square | 14006 Riverside Drive | Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 • 818.783.0550