M. L. Johnson:

Hallowed Ground on Halloween

Instead of chaperoning trick-or-treating kids or standing by the door with a bowlful of miniature candy bars and Hershey kisses; instead of going to a snazzy downtown loft party and dressing up like a French maid or a walking zombie, I have opted to spend this year’s Halloween on the hallowed grounds of Manassas, Virginia–a commuter suburb of Washington DC and the site of battles won and loss. Manassas Visitor Center Aside from the perfect timing to coincide with Halloween (you can be...

October 31st, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

L.A., King of the Deli

According to self-ascribed deli fanatic David Sax, author of the newly published book “Save the Deli,” Los Angeles reigns supreme when it comes to deli fare and ambiance. Smoked meats, jaw-unhinging sandwiches, and other noshes and nibbles are for Sax best experienced in L.A, beating out such formidable contenders as New York, Cleveland, Chicago, San Francisco, and Montreal. Deli(cious) Delicatessens: Langer's, home of heavenly pastrami Langer’s Delicatessen-Restaurant: Established...

October 28th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Roaming Away to San Francisco

One hour on a cheap flight and you’re there–San Francisco, the place where Tony Bennett and millions of other visitors have left their hearts. For those of you who have never been, are an occasional visitor, or make it a regular commute, I have recommendations for some old standards as well as new surprises. And, a couple of choice money-saving tips. Historic John's Grill of "Maltese Falcon" fame Great Splurge: John’s Grill. Established in 1908, one of San Francisco’s...

October 25th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Scary, Trashy, and Gay Halloween Events

Gay Join about half a million other people at what is billed as the “world’s largest Halloween street party.” On October 31, the primarily gay district of West Hollywood will host its 22nd annual Costume Carnavel. Revelers will be dressed (or undressed) in a wide range of creative garb. Beginning at 6 PM the undead (or are they actually zombies??) parade along Santa Monica Boulevard, between La Cienega Boulevard and Doheny Drive. The action lasts until the wee hours. Free of charge. West...

October 24th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

The Sporting News

Baseball: Unfortunately the Los Angeles Dodgers are out of the playoffs after losing to the Phillies in Game 4 (score 4–1) of the American League Championship Series. On top of that an announcement was made that Dodgers’ owner Frank McCourt has fired his wife, Jamie, from her position as the club’s chief executive. This is likely to be a contentious issue since the couple recently separated and Jamie is a co-owner of the club. No word on whether Jamie will vacate her Dodger Stadium office,...

October 23rd, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Los Angeles Wine Around

It’s autumn, the time for a good book, a fine meal, and a comforting glass of wine. Los Angeles may not have the rich and bucolic wine trails of popular Napa, Sonoma, Temecula, Santa Ynez, and Paso Robles, but the greater L.A. area does harbor some hidden pockets with boutique wineries that take pride in personalized service and, but of course, hospitable tastings. Most wineries also have online stores and some have onsite restaurants and banquet facilities. Among the bottles waiting to be...

October 19th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Charles Burchfield Exhibits at the Hammer Museum

Heat Waves in a Swamp: The Paintings of Charles Burchfield, opened at UCLA’s Hammer Museum on October 4th and continues through January 3rd. This is painter Charles Burchfield’s first major west coast exhibition for more than two decades. The Ohio-born American painter (1893 – 1967) attended the Cleveland School of Art, later became a wallpaper designer in Buffalo, and eventually made his way to art-Mecca New York City where his watercolors were presented as the first one-person...

October 16th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Pumpkin Patches and Other Halloween-y Things

Yes, it’s fall. I know, it’s hard to tell in eternally Spring-like Los Angeles. Luckily for us, there are surrounding mountains and forests where the air becomes crisp and the leaves turn a few shades. Even in the city, a pumpkin or two on the doorstep conveys a breezy Autumn welcome. Select assorted shapes and sizes from local farmers markets or grocery stores. Pumpkin Season Selected Pumpkin Patches, Festivals, Mazes, and Farms Faulkner Farm Pumpkin Patch: Ventura County’s traditional...

October 14th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Hop-On, Hop-Off Double-Decker Tours of Los Angeles

Starline Tours, one of the major outfits that take gaga visitors past the homes of celebrities and other places in the land of glitz and glamour, has launched fun and convenient hop-on, hop-off double-decker city tours. The open-air buses run along four separate two-hour loops, allowing riders to explore L.A.’s most desirable attractions at their own pace. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is the connecting point for three of the loops. Tourists gather in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre You...

October 11th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic

Virtuoso conductor Gustavo Dudamel has officially taken his place as the new Music Director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The astonishingly charismatic and talented 28-year-old conductor from Venezuela is creating excitement and enthusiasm (in both English and Spanish) with a style and stance that appeals to a mutli-cultural audience and spans all age groups. Maestro Dudamel, in fact, is focused on spreading exceptional music throughout the city. In addition to his important schedule at the Walt...

October 8th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Tasty Events at the Grove

Set adjacent to the historic Farmers Market, The Grove is one of L.A.’s most posh and premiere shopping and dining destinations in addition to being the location for prestigious special events. The Grove shopping and dining destination “Choctoberfest,” on target for October 7th, will tantalize with a variety of scrumptious chocolate delights paired with wine and beer (yes, beer!). California and Chilean wines, along with Belgian beers, will accompany artisan chocolates and KCRW’s...

October 5th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Save Big at Outlet Stores

Los Angeles certainly doesn’t lack for shopping opportunities. Although not everyone can afford Rodeo Drive or the city’s myriad other trendy boutiques, it’s not necessary to settle for Walmart either. The option: Outlet stores, which offer a huge selection of designer brands (Guess, Calvin Klein, BCBG, Max Studio, DKNY, etc.) at equally huge discounts of 30-70 percent off retail prices. Makers of children’s wear (OshKosh, Carter’s) also maintain a presence, as do manufacturers...

October 4th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Welcome to California

The State of California has 14 Welcome Centers within its vast boundaries, and these are particularly useful for those traveling by car or RV. Six Southern California centers are located right where you’d need them–beaches, mountains, deserts, and at outlet shops! A welcoming California poppy Southern California Welcome Centers: Oxnard 1000 Town Center Dr, Suite 135, Oxnard 93036 (see map) Phone (905) 988-0717 Oceanside 928 North Coast Hwy, Oceanside 92054 (see map) Phone (760) 721-1101 San...

September 29th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Conan O’Brien Head Injury

Conan O’Brien, who recently took the helm at the long-running “The Tonight Show,” hit his head during a stunt while taping what-was-to-be last night’s broadcast. Viewers expecting to see Teri Hatcher and Seth MacFarlane instead were shown a repeat with guest Jeremy Piven. Posters on the show’s online community forum expressed disappointment at Hatcher’s absence, while some voiced actual concern for the 46-year-old talk-show host. Meanwhile, little is being said...

September 26th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

My Perfect Summer Vacation: Montréal, Québec City, and Halifax

As a professional travel writer, I have explored many parts of the globe. With the exception of colleagues, a lot of people are jealous of my job. Believe me, it is work. No, I’m not kidding. Often my excursions are jet-lagged, sleep-deprived, make-a-deadline, blurs. Okay, I lied–it’s all of the above, plus the most memorable experiences I could ever dream of. Therefore planning a real vacation presents something of a challenge. This year I chose to return to two of my favorite...

September 25th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

ALERT: Santa Ana Conditions on the Way

“It never rains in Southern California……” la la la. And that ain’t good! We have more Santa Ana-like weather on the way and Los Angeles County–in fact all of Southern California–is very, very, VERY dry. Temperatures, expected to peak on Tuesday, will rise to triple digits and the humidity level will likely plummet to a single digit. And the winds will push in from the northeast. Combine the three elements for one potentially deadly combination. Red-flag warnings...

September 21st, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

New at the Zoos: Condors and Snow Leopards

No, they are not enclosed together-although that could indeed be interesting. The condors are in Santa Barbara and the snow leopards live in L.A. Unveiled at the Los Angeles Zoo on September 10th were two rare snow leopard cubs, a brother and his sister. It is thought that snow leopards number fewer than 7,000. Their home turf is in the rugged terrain of the remote mountains of Asia, where their abundant fur and wraparound tails can keep them warm at brisk minus-40 Fahrenheit temps. It’s not...

September 20th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Solvang Danish Days Weekend Celebration

The village-like community of Solvang, known as the “Danish Capital of America,” this weekend celebrates its 73rd annual celebration of all things Danish. Of course there will be the luscious, flaky, warm-from-the-oven pastries for which the Danes are known. In addition, visitors can plan to do things other than chew (or as they chew!). Olsen's, a typical Solvang bakery Sponsored by the Danish Days Foundation, which honors Solvang’s 1911 establishment by Danish-Americans, this...

September 17th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

Church in Ocean Park Poetry Reading

Founded in 1898 as the Ocean Park Methodist Episcopal Church, this historic building in Santa Monica’s Ocean Park neighborhood continues to hold Sunday services. But, in addition, the 200-seat church also serves as the venue for numerous interesting events and entertainments. One of my favorites is coming up on September 19–the annual poetry reading that will feature Gerald Locklin, John Harris, Tricia Cherin, Michael C. Ford, and Zachary Locklin. In addition to being a world-renowned...

September 15th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More

4 Wonderful Ways to Experience in Los Angeles in the Fall

I know. Many of you don’t actually believe there are seasons in Southern California, but you are so wrong. We have mountains, deserts, beaches, and–yes–also an eternal flower-filled Spring, which occurs even in Fall. Perhaps it won’t rain, but it does get crisp from Fall-ish weather or a blistering Santa Ana. Confused? Don’t be. This is the land of all things possible. San Bernardino National Forest 1. San Bernardino National Forest: this sprawling mountain playground...

September 11th, 2009 | Los Angeles | Read More