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Get ready Silverlake! You're up on the silver screen! Sunset Junction, A Personal Musical, a film by Director Jesus M. Rodriguez (Director of Sundance favorite "Lucy & Ricky", “Solitude” ), will host an invite-only screening on Tuesday, June 14th, 2011 at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, CA. Screening to be followed by Q&A with Director Jesus M. Rodriguez, moderated by Sweet Home Alabama writer, C. Jay Cox. After Party at Pig ‘N Whistle next door. Soundtrack features local and acclaimed artists Helen Stellar, Fool’s Gold, Los Amigos Invisibles, Floating Action, Maleco Collective, Useless Keys, Popvert, Jail Weddings, Lemon Sun, Aurah, Thomas Greene, Zachary Ross, David Mazzarri, and Jesus Florido.  “Sunset Junction is not a musical about “making it.”  It is a story about Silver Lake neighbors with a passion for music and dance. As they struggle to find their way, barriers will break down. Friendships will form.  Our characters will realize that while they are waiting for their careers to take off, their real lives are moving forward. With stylized visuals, a local, cutting-edge soundtrack and amazing dance numbers, Jesus Rodriguez brings you Silver Lake as you’ve never seen it before…” Hope to see you all there!  I'll be ...

Live performance by Carmen Perez with Rolly Devore and Byron Gore In honor of May being Mental Health Awareness Month, the 2nd Annual Inpeloto Art Show Raising Awareness for Healthy Existence: Mind, Body and Soul, featuring artist Carmen Perez ("He's Not That Into You", “Nip/Tuck”) will take place at Suture Gallery this Friday, May 13, from 7:00PM to 11:00PM. Food and champagne available during art show and live performance by Carmen Perez along with musicians Rolly Devore and Byron Gore.  There will be a silent auction and donations are welcome. Proceeds to benefit American Mental Health Foundation.   WHAT: 2nd Annual Inpeloto Art Show and Raising Awareness for Healthy Existence: Mind, Body and Soul featuring Carmen Perez   WHERE: Suture Gallery 655 10th Avenue, San Diego, CA   WHEN: 7pm – 11pm   ENTRANCE: Open to the public and free to all ages #

by Angela Rocco DeCarlo - copyright 2011   Friends from Chicago were visiting and we were giving them the Huntington Beach, CA tour... lunch at Duke's on the beach downtown while gawking at the wetsuited-surfer dudes, who to Midwesterners, are exotic indeed. They can't quite believe that surfing can be, and is, for talented people, a profession. Celebrating with old friends from back home is always special. That's the time when a plain red plastic cup won't do for your wine toast. It's fine for the beach, but otherwise something more refined is required. As we checked out the various gift shops around the beach area we came upon one store which had a collection of hand painted wine glasses that offered a surprise. There are several brands that produce these custom items. There amid the flip flop and ladies' shoe glass designs was a tulip wine glass featuring a fantasy Chicago Cubs marquee, city skyline and sailboats on Lake Michigan - all capturing the fun of a Chicago summer. Obviously, no one is going to memorialize a Chicago winter - that's for sure. Travelers love to take home treats from vacation destinations to remind them of happy times. It isn't often one in on a California ...

by Angela Rocco DeCarlo, copyright, 2011 "I've got something special for you, " said President Abraham Lincoln to the young boy and girl. With that he pulled from his trousers' pocket a handful of the shiniest of new US Lincoln copper pennies. This Lincoln enactor, Bill Peck, was pitch perfect in appearance (with a real beard) and demeanor at the annual Presidents' Day free event at the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, Yorba Linda, CA. He spoke gently to the children as he explained the 2009 "Rail Splitter" pennies* he presented to them were keepsakes. Sam, 7, and Seritella, 5, our grandchildren, were awestruck as they accepted the shiny pennies. I admit, I was, too. He suggested the children learn not only the Gettysburg address, but Lincoln's second inaugural address filled with hope and prayer. It was a small moment of pure theater just for two little kids - beautiful. The Nixon Museum has been a favorite destination for us to take our four young grandchildren over the past ten years. They've scampered up and through the presidential helicopter, which is a part of the permanent collection of Nixon objects. The Apollo astronauts and their accouterments were an exciting up-close encounter when on ...

There are many places outside of LA that serve as great options for a getaway.  Few are the ones you’d also consider living in.  Claremont is that city.   Away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, you’ll find a thriving city with the charm of a small town. How to get there: The eastern-most city in Los Angeles County, Claremont is 30 miles east of downtown Los Angeles along Interstate 10. It’s a destination quite unlike any other in Southern California: A hidden gem within the sprawling, urbanscape of the L.A. basin.  From LA: Take the 134 to the 210 exit North Towne Avenue South. Ontario International Airport (ONT) - 10 miles  Los Angeles - 40 miles   STAY:   Hotel Casa 425 is just what it claims to be: a home away from home. Located on the town square, within steps of fine restaurants, cafes, boutiques, art galleries and the prestigious Claremont Colleges, Casa 425 is a sophisticated boutique hotel with spacious rooms with clean lines and understated art.  Most of the rooms of this stylish boutique hotel open onto a tranquil courtyard in the heart of historic Claremont Village, and within walking distance of all the nightlife.  This diva recommends you ...