Beverly Hills Affaire in the Gardens - 5/20/07

I know, I know, I know ... I should alert you to these events before they happen, but heck, I've been too busy going to them, and forgot to post them! Darn. This one happens again in October...so set your calendar.

[If you live in the Los Angeles area, and want to subscribe to a wonderful e-mail list, check out Doug Welch's WelchEvents. He tends to highlight events that are 'free-to-cheap' including nature hikes, kids events, and arts/crafts festivals.
Just click: "Join this group" at this link: http://groups.google.com/group/WelchEvents?hl=en]

We hadn't attended this art show in the past couple years (we were out of town a lot) but it's definitely one of our favorite local events: The Beverly Hills Affaire in the Gardens Art Show.

We're always impressed with the variety of sculpture made from new materials (resin? plastic? melted glass?) and also award-winning presentations ranging from classical-style paintings (landscapes, bowls of fruit) to "ultra high design" (i.e., modern impressionists), plus amazing jewelry and wooden crafts (handmade furniture) of all types. The craftsmanship is jaw-droppingly good. If you are interested in buying, do bring your entire bank account. (OK, it's not THAT bad, but still pretty pricey.)

The outdoor show covers 3 blocks of the park alongside Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Heck, if you still need more stimulation, you can always visit the chic boutiques along adjacent world-famous Rodeo Drive, where Elizabeth Taylor buys her diamonds, or used to.

Oh, and the dogs people have with them...a show all unto itself.

Enjoy!

Huntington Botanical Gardens - 5/20/07

Thanks to our good friend (in blue), Katerina Eriksson, the Head Gardener of Perennials at the Huntington Botanical Gardens (San Marino, California), I had the chance to volunteer at their annual Spring Plant Sale.











I took this as yet another opportunity to exercise my creativity in a totally different way, photographing the astounding array of flowering plants ... and to be around people who really know their stuff!

I like cactus ... so I took a few shots of the most exotic looking ones.

Personally, I find that when I get out of my regular routine it's a chance to churn up all kinds of new ideas, whether they are about art, writing or just taking a needed break. Highly recommended!

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books - 2007

This is one of our favorite events ... the annual Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, held on the campus of UCLA. This one was April 28-29, 2007.

Aside from spending time going from one booth to the next, with about 100,000 people, you have the opportunity to hear world renown authors speak in classrooms there -- and it's FREE (except for parking). If you're a writer, you should add this event to your "must do" list.

As we strolled around, we saw Hector Elizondo, promoting his current work in the theatre, starring in the Los Angeles hit production of "Twelve Angry Men." I just had to take his photo and tell him how much I love his work.

Also, took a moment to stop and listen to author, Greg Palast, (seen here in similar baldness and blue shirt, but that was just a coincidence, I swear!) one of our favorite political writers. Wearing headsets, he is being interviewed on KPFK radio, broadcasting live from the Book Festival.

It's an author's paradise ... certainly a reader's too. Put it on your calendar for late April 2008. Highly recommended!

Revlon 5K Run/Walk - May 12, 2007

Thought you'd like to see what I've been up to lately. I am reminded, by the way, that anything we do (well, ALMOST anything) stimulates our creativity. Especially when you do something for the first time...

This was my first time to do anything like this...
I walked in the Annual Revlon 5K Run/Walk (about 3 miles) for Women, a fundraiser to fight cancer.

Photo above, taken of me at the Finish Line, by my good friend Ruth Rivin.

Pat Benatar and band were playing in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum as we returned from the walk ...very cool. I heard that Gladys Knight, Kenny Loggins, and others played in years past, but the organizers never reveal in advance who's going to be playing ... so it's always a surprise reward!

("The Nanny") Fran Drescher, singer Sheryl Crow (both had cancer) were there along with Michael Chiklis ("The Shield") and other actors/celebs, models spoke, posed for photos and signed autographs, etc.

Each runner/walker wore a sign on his/her back denoting in whose honor or memory we were running/walking. I chose my dear friend, Bernadette M. Smith, who was a music business attorney I worked with in Atlanta, Georgia, and who died much-too-young, a couple years ago from cancer. Some people had several names on their lists. Some were "in support of" for cancer survivors ... and there were lots of those participating in the walk, thankfully.

Biggest moment for me was when we walked through the tunnels, crowded into a river of about 50,000 people, coming out of the dark & cool and into the sunshine again, entering the "floor" of the Coliseum with people cheering, in the stands, just like we were in the Olympics!

Each participant was presented with a gold medal (shiny-gold colored, heavy, not plastic...maybe lead?) on a red ribbon that volunteer firemen/women placed around our necks, hugged us, posed for photos, just like real 'winners.' Very cool.

It was a relatively easy walk (except for lack of sleep! We got there at 7 a.m.), certainly because I was enjoying my visit with Ruth. I'm still energized, having recovered from the almost-blisters on the soles of my feet. Besides, I finally got to satisfy my "Inner Gladiator."


The whole thing was really very touching...and inspirational. And fun.

If you ever have the chance to enter a 'walk' or 'run' for a good cause ... go for it.