Spa Diva

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo Santa Monica, CA 9-21-09 Chicagoans living in exile in Southern California may not miss the weather, but we sure do miss the foods - pizza, hot dogs, Italian beef & "sanguages". That's why there were 300 people, connected with the entertainment/media industry,  packed into Chicago restaurateur Jerrod & RJ Melman's new eatery, "La Grande Orange" in Santa Monica, CA. Rich Melman speared headed the original Chicago "Windy City West" parties beginning 22 years ago. This party, with AT & T sponsorship, along with many other entities; including United Airlines, Chicago Sun-Times, Columbia College and the Illinois office which assists filmmakers, promised Lou Malnati pizza, Portillo's Italian beef, with sweet peppers, Eli's cheesecake and other assorted treats, which caused party goers to fast for at least two days prior to the party. The logjam at the kitchen where none-other-than-Mark Malnati was hand-making luscious Lou Malnati pizzas was prodigious. Nonetheless, I got what I came for with a bonus...three pieces, of Malnati pizza and the opportunity to let Mark Malnati know what fans we are of his products. Whenever we're in Chicago we take an insulated bag to Lou Malnati's restaurant near the airport, and load up on frozen pizzas. We ...

Run 4 Her Life 5k / 10k for Breast Cancer Research will take place on Sunday, October 18, 2009 at 8:00 a.m. and feature a live musical performance by GRAMMY® award-winning recording artist and "Dancing With The Stars" contestant, Mýa. Registration fee is $35 in advance and $45 day of and includes a custom designed Affliction/Run 4 Her Life t-shirt ($82 value), gift bag and all event festivities, including entrance to the concert.  Team and Groups are also encouraged to participate.  Please visit www.Run4HerLife.com for additional details and to register. The Americana at Brand, located in the heart of downtown Glendale, will offer entrants and guests a variety of live entertainment, expo and post-event party. In addition to the competitive 5k / 10k races the event also offers a 5k Family Fun Run / Walk. "Caruso Affiliated is honored to support this inaugural event and its critical mission of funding for breast cancer research. Our team is working hard to ensure that it also will be a delightful day for the entire family," said Rick Caruso, president and CEO, Caruso Affiliated. To get in shape for the October 2009 Race, lululemon athletica Glendale will conduct complimentary Sunday morning fitness classes at The ...

By  Angela Rocco DeCarlo Before Galileo built the first complete astronomical telescope, 400 years ago,  humans were nearly universally unaware of the specifics of the solar system. In fact, it was accepted the Earth was the center of the Universe and only in imagination did man fly to the Moon. Yet, in 2009, the International Year of Astronomy as designated by the United Nations, in recognition of Galileo's first telescope observations, American men walked upon the Moon. It is a time to celebrate Galileo and his scientific decedents, the astronauts and scientists and builders of the NASA lunar projects Those of us fortunate enough to have been alive July 20, 1969, to watch a world-wide television broadcast saw Commander Neil Armstrong float down from Earth’s spacecraft, Eagle, onto the virgin surface of our Moon, enshrining man’s footprint with the words, “That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." It was wondrous. Beyond thrilling. Heroic. As a nation it was, as President Richard Nixon later said, in a phone call to the astronauts, “…proudest day of our lives…” As my babies slept, I, along with an estimated half a billion other persons, were privileged to experience the fulfillment ...

Title: ORO CD Release Party PALENKE SOULTRIBE Location: The Conga Room - 800 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA Link out: Click here Description: Palenke Soultribe was created in Los Angeles in 2005 by Colombian producers Juan D. Borda ( AKA Insectosound) and Andres Erazo ( AKA Popa) and later joined by drummer/percussionist A.Zuluaga. Under WC-Music Records and up to 2008, they have released a vinyl named \"Folkloric Deconstruktion\" (2005); followed by their first album called \"Tropic an Heaven\" (2007 )( album that was awarded with the Independent Music Awards 2008 in the Dance/Electronica category; and a compilation of remixes entitled \"Tropico y Cielo\". Their upcoming album release, ORO, shows a development in the sound of the project and features known international artists like Miami\'s Locos por Juana ( Grammy nominee 2009), Sr. Mendez ( Grammy Winner 2007), Cesar Pliego ( bass player from KINKY), Elastic Bond , Toddy Walters and many more. Official released date scheduled March 2009. Palenke Soultribe deconstruct atmospheric and warm Colombian sonic textures that ride over underground beats and exploratory synthesizer sounds. The foundation of PST\'s work is the colorful sound of Colombia\'s traditional music mixed together with electronic beats. Start Time: 9pm Date: 2009-07-30 [gallery]

By Angela Rocco DeCarlo There’s still time to catch the captivating exhibit, “Novel Constructions – Artists Create Monumental Books” at the charming Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. The exhibit closes August 16 and I’m sorry I didn’t see it earlier. When I first walked into the exhibit I was, by turns, puzzled, confounded, but ultimately delighted, by the novel approach crafted by the six artists who created the works in the exhibit. I was taken by surprise by the circular wordy disks artist Cheryl Sorg created. At first glance it is not apparent there is text in the graceful shapes on what appears to be huge plastic panels. Upon closer inspection the monumental scope of her creation comes into view and one is charmed by the originality and celebration of the printed word. It is a monstrous task to cut and paste, all in a circular format, the printed pages used in the display. How she achieved the precise design is a wonderment. The museum brochure tells us “…she cuts the books apart line by line, sometimes word by word, and reassembles the text with acid-free clear tape on to the Mylar.” I was delighted by the ...

Title: Running with The Bulls in Pamplona Location: Pamplona, Spain Link out: Click here Description: The Pamplona festival – also known as the San Fermin Festival or Sanfermines– is held in Pamplona, Spain every year from July 6-14. The most famous part of the festival is the bull run or encierro when 12 bulls charge through the streets of the old city. Although the festival begins on July 6, the bulls do not run until July 7 and then run for 7 consecutive mornings at 8 a.m. until the end of the festival. Anyone over the age of 18 can run with the bulls and there is no charge to participate. Start Date: 2009-07-06 End Date: 2009-07-14 El festival de la corrida de toros de Pamplona - tambien conocido como el Festival de San Fermin - toma lugar en Pamplona, España anualmente en Julio.  Este año será de Julio 6 al 14.  Lo que hace famoso al festival es el "encierro" o corrida de los toros cuando sueltan a 12 toros a la carga en las viejas calles de Pamplona.  Aunque el festival comienza Julio 6, los toros no corren hasta Julio 7, y por 7 días consecutivos de las 8 a.m. hasta el fin del ...

In the mood for a little blood? Vampire-Con 2009, the world’s first convention devoted solely to Vampires is pleased to announce the Lucent Dossier Experience as they reveal their darker side at Vampirella’s Ball on Sunday, August 16, 2009. The Lucent Dossier Experience is an acclaimed underground vaudeville cirque – a bewitching alchemy of glamour, magic, and beautiful expression.  Their unique and interactive choreography, inspired costuming, original music and mystical body art are brought together by the spirited performers to create a mesmerizing high-concept spectacle of human light that casts an alluring spell over its audience. Surreal, magical, theatrical and absurd, the Lucent Dossier Experience has been called “a far superior take on circus” by The Washington Post and “a burst of energy & sexual tension” by Spin Magazine.  Lucent Dossier was a hit at Coachella Art & Music Festival, was featured in Panic! At the Disco’s video “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” and at its core is a playground for the innovative genius child in all of us. Vampire-Con swoops into Hollywood, CA for a weekend-long event beginning Friday, August 14, opening with a two-day Vampire Film Festival at the New Beverly Cinema and then flies to The Music Box Theatre @ ...

Where do fabulous divas play? Everywhere! And where do they get ready to play? At Face to Face LA! Rumor has it that golden bunny Kendra Wilkinson loves her spa days! She spent yesterday at this fantastic facial space filled with tanning, manicures, pedicures, facials and massages. According to eonline.com: Kendra said "the bride should be really spoiled and be treated like a queen, and that's how I'm feeling right now!" Bridesmaid Brittany Binger is worried about fitting into her dress after all the desserts and champagne...but not enough to skip the sweets! "We're all just eating. I don't care!" she said. Kendra’s nuptials are scheduled for this weekend at the infamous Playboy mansion. The fabulous facials from Face to Face LA Salon will surely bring out her inner glow on this important day. And while everyone will stare and wonder how Kendra does it, this diva’s secret is safe with us. For a special discount at Face to Face LA, mention the code: TRAVELINGDIVA.COM  and receive a true diva’s treatment from either Marianne or Robert. Face to Face LA www.facetofacela.com 11331 Ventura Boulevard, Suite 2a Studio City, California, 91604 818.505.0107

Written by: Josie Villa-Singleton , aka Travelista*** Let’s face it; travel and tourism have a big impact on the environment. As responsible travelers we have to acknowledge the toll that traveling exerts on the environment and look for ways to offset this impact. Flying The main offender to the environment when we travel is our flight to Europe. For example, my flight from DFW (Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport) to CDG (Charles De Gaul Airport in Paris) will release 1.79 tons of carbon dioxide into the air over a distance of 9,930 miles according to CarbonFund.org. Once you take into account radiative forcing the effect increases to a release of 4.83 tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere that can contribute to global warming. Almost makes me not want to step on a plane again…almost, but I’m not willing to give up traveling if there are other ways to alleviate the environmental impact. One simple tactic is to always fly direct. This is the most efficient way to travel and you won’t contribute to any excess emissions and you personally will not have to deal with another round of deplaning and boarding. Airlines are becoming increasingly aware of this impact and are also looking for ...

By Isabella Martiner Barcelona has it all:  beautiful architecture, high energy night life that be can as late, or as early as you want, outstanding restaurants, vineyards, and, of course, the ocean.  Interested in a non-traditional tourist experience with a personal touch?  Stay in style by the beach in Barcelona, walk to all the historic sites and city center within minutes at very affordable prices. At the Apartamentos Barceloneta - Banys De Mar , a family run apartment rentals,  you will find delightful apartments that will give you a real sense of history in what was once the fishing village of Barcelona. Tastefully decorated with a rustic feel and modern amenities, these studio and one-bedroom apartments with balconies are perfect for various periods from a few days to a few months.  Not to mention, they are much cheaper then a hotel with all the conveniences of a fully furnished apartment.   You’ll be close enough to all the city has to offer while still being able to relax in this one-of-a-kind place. All the apartments come with clean fresh linens and linen service is free of charge.  Calle Sant Miquel, where the building is located, is a traditional, colorful street in the Barceloneta, the ...