John Fogerty on PBS

PBS has been so kind as to invite me to their Live By Request Series with John Fogerty.If you are not familiar with The Live By Request Series check out all the details here. We'll be live from The Shrine auditorium. Get you requests in. I'll be whrrling from the show, so keep an eye out for that.

Here are a few videos to get you in the mood!!! I'm totally excited.

The Men Who Stare at Goats

The wonderful people at Overture Films were kind enough to let me into a press preview screening of the new George Clooney film, The Men Who Stare at Goats. The title is kind of a mouth full, but I guess Return of the Jedi was taken. That will make sense when you see how often they call themselves Jedi in the movie. It opens nationwide November 6th, and I highly recommend you go see it at your earliest convenience.
The Chemistry between George Clooney and Ewan McGregor is great, Brad Pitt better watch his back or he might go the way of Mark Wahlberg.
The story is far fetched but based on a true story and as the opening of the film says, more of this is true than you would believe(or something like that, it's dark in theatres and hard to take notes).
The cast is stellar there's George and Ewan, but there are also Jeff Bridges (AKA the Dude) and Kevin Spacey. Seriously, people you can't go wrong here. It's my personal favorite, bizarre and funny, bizarrely funny, or funnily bizarre, anyway you cut it, it's a good time.



P.S. this is my pervy Clooney stalker comment. There is some of the film set in the past and Clooney wears this long haired wig(not like his real 80's long hair, on Roseanne) and he looks super hot.I know, I know he's always hot. I just had to get that off my chest...

Ice Skating in Santa Monica

When I was a girl we had an ice skating rink in Santa Monica, but now it's Fred Segals. I'll leave out my griping about gentrification and just cut to to where I tell you where you can ice skate in Santa Monica for the next few months.

From Now until January 31, 2010, the ice rink will be open Sunday through Thursday, 10am to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am to midnight Admission is $10 and includes rental skates.




Not only is there skating but there is also going to be an Guinness Book of World Records biggest ice sculpture in the shape of Scrat from the Ice Age movies. The unveiling will be tomorrow October 27 at 4pm.

See below for more details.


WHAT:
To coincide with the release of the Ice Age 3 Dawn of the Dinosaurs Blu-ray disc and DVD, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Tallest Ice Sculpture at the opening of the ice skating rink, ICE at Santa Monica.

Fun Facts:
• The Scrat Ice Sculpture will stand at 45 feet tall
• Over 133,000 lbs. of ice will be used, gathered across 4 states
• Months of preparation went into the logistics
• Artists from Blue Sky Studios developed the look of the model
• The current record for the Tallest Ice Sculpture is 40.28 feet and was achieved by Michel Amann (France) in Ski Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 20, 2006.

Additional Highlights:
• World Figure Skating Champion Randy Gardner will perform to the “Walk the Dinosaur” song featured in the film
• The one and only acorn-loving Scrat will demonstrate his own skating abilities
• Skating for the entire family, including music and many more fun activities
• ICE at Santa Monica is an 8000-square-foot outdoor ice rink in Downtown Santa Monica

WHO:
A team of 14 skilled sculptors from Ice Bulb LLC will build the world’s Tallest Ice Sculpture over a 4-day period on the ice rink at the ICE at Santa Monica. A Guinness World Records™ adjudicator will be present to oversee the attempt.

WHEN:
Tuesday, October 27, final Scrat sculpture to be unveiled at 4:00pm
• Entrance is Free to the public
• From October 27 through January 31, 2010, the ice rink will be open Sunday through Thursday, 10am to 10pm, and Friday and Saturday, 10am to midnight
• Admission is $10 and includes rental skates
* Stand-ups and in-progress check-ins available beginning Saturday, October 24

WHERE:
ICE at Santa Monica
1324 5th Street (at Arizona Avenue)
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Bored to Death

Has anybody else seen this Bored to Death on HBO. It Stars Jason Shwartzman, Zach Galifianakis, and Ted Danson. It is truly bizarre but also truly funny. You have to catch it. Based on my On Demand there have been 5 episodes. I'm going to get caught up and then start watching it religiously. I think I love it....(I know I ripped that off from David Cassidy)

Mad Men Wrap Up

Well, only three more episodes. I'm already sad. How will I make it through another Mad Men hiatus. I have no idea.
Anyway, last night was a big show, Betty found out at least some of Don's secret. I'm guessing she'll be taking the kids and moving into her fathers house, at least for a while. I think Betty is pretty tired of being Don's Glamorous Betty Draper. This could open up quite the opportunity for our Miss Ferral (that wild cat).
For Sterling Cooper things are up in the air with the English putting them up to the highest bidder. My prediction is that they will buy themselves back, possibly including Don and Lane as partners. I don't think Mrs. Lane is going to be too happy about that (though if she knew she was almost shipped off to India, she might enjoy New York more). But hopefully it will mean Joan and Sal will return.
Or maybe Duck will come back and Swoop them up for Grey. Now that Don has a contracted they'd have to work together, that'll be fun to watch. Not to mention the whole Peggy triangle that will create.
My favorite part of last nights show was Paul and Peggy. Particularly at the end when they are pitching to Don, and Peggy saves the day again, and Paul finally realizes Peggy is better than him. He's stunned by the realization.
I wonder what Paul was planning to do with Peggy when he came out yelling for her earlier?? When he finds Achilles instead and find his great idea, and then loses it. The idea probably wasn't that great anyway.
I'm guessing our last episode will be the Kennedy assasination and Sterlings daughter's wedding and maybe Betty leaving Don. That would make for the perfect end of innocence. Then next season they can come back in 1964 and we can meet The Beatles.

Free Dinner at El Cholo

Here is some good news for all you teachers out there. It's a free dinner at El Cholo, check out their press release below!!! Yum...





In honor of our 86th anniversary in Los Angeles, the El Cholo family invites all area teachers and educators to have dinner on us. From 5 p.m. until closing on Oct. 26, we will serve an a la carte menu free of charge to anyone who checks in at the event with school id and photo id to show they currently work either as a teacher or educator.

Honorees in attendance will also be able to enter a raffle to win $500 in school supplies for their classroom or school!

This offer is valid at the historic El Cholo at 1121 S. Western Ave. in Los Angeles as well as at the El Cholo restaurants in Santa Monica, La Habra and Irvine.


Our history begins…

The story of El Cholo reads like many American successes. A hard working couple discovers an opportunity in a newly adopted city and proceeds to build a lasting family business. What gets lost between the lines are the joys and challenges, relationships of a family that expands five generations.

Our tale begins with Alejandro Borquez and his culinary gifted wife, Rosa. Alejandro had a hunch that Los Angeles would enjoy Rosa's cooking as much as he did - and he was right. The seed of Alejandro's inspiration has grown from the tiny original Sonora Cafe, opened in 1923 in downtown Los Angeles, to a multi-generational restaurant business that spreads across Southern California.

To our satisfaction, a great number of the ideas we promoted have become Mexican restaurant staples, from combination plates to nachos to margaritas made with premium tequilas. Our green corn tamales ‘
are legendary, available only during the summer months when sweet corn is at its peak.

What we've always believed, from Grandma Rosa's first Sonora-style enchiladas to today's fajitas and seasonal tamales, is that our food along with our history and warm genuine hospitality are what truly sets our restaurant apart.

El Cholo restaurants participating in this event are:

Los Angeles: 1121 S. Western Ave., (323) 734-2773

Santa Monica: 1025 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 899-1106

La Habra: Cafe El Cholo, 840 E Whittier Blvd., (562) 691-4618

Irvine: El Cholo Cantina, 5465 Alton Parkway, (949) 451-0044

For more information, you may contact the managers at each restaurant.
http://www.elcholo. com/

Yo Gabba Gabba! Giveaway

Yo Gabba Gabba! is dropping their first CD on this Tuesday the 20th. It's got all the songs we know and love, including There's a Party in my Tummy, Lovely, Love My Family, and much more. Don't feel bad if you haven't heard of Yo Gabba Gabba! unless you have a child(under 7). If you do have a child and you don't know who Yo Gabba Gabba! is then you really are neglecting them. Yo Gabba Gabba! is only one of the greatest show ever on Nick Jr.

I have a advance copy of the new CD to giveaway,as well as, Yo Gabba Gabba! DVD Meet My Family and a Yo Gabba Gabba! book Christmas in Gabba Land.

Just leave a comment and I'll randomly pick a winner on Tuesday at 4pm pt.

If you need more Yo Gabba Gabba! you can see them live in select cities

Los Angeles November 14 and 15

New York November 21

Chicago December 5

Check Yo Gabba Gabba! for more details

UPDATE: Our winner is Jodifur

Audrey Hepburn at LACMA

LACMA or the Los Angeles County Museum of Art has a great Audrey Hepburn retrospective coming up!! Yeah, I love to see MY movies on the big screen. It starts October 23 and runs through Nov. 13. The tickets are just $10 and $7 for students.

Here's the whole list. They're double features, if you can imagine my glee. I've seen them all but War and Peace. Actually I've seen the beginning of War and Peace, but I didn't really like it so I never saw the whole thing. Love the rest of them though.

October 23 7:30 PM Roman Holiday
October 23 9:40 PM They All Laughed
October 24 7:30 PM Breakfast at Tiffany's
October 24 9:35 PM Two for the Road
October 30 7:30 PM Sabrina
October 30 9:35 PM Love in the Afternoon
November 6 7:30 PM Charade
November 6 7:30 PM Wait Until Dark
November 7 7:30 PM War and Peace
November 13 7:30 PM My Fair Lady

Here's the trailer for Charade, one of my particular favorites. I have a little thing for Walter Matthau (don't tell George Clooney) and he's in this too. It was also made in 1963, which is the year Mad Men is now in so you can do some cross checking on fashion and and parlance. Just go see it...

Woof & Wine

Here's a great event happening tonight. My cousin sent this to me, she is a huge Boxer lover and supporter of this organization. I hope some of you can make it.



Sunday, October 11, 2009
5pm - 8pm Yamashiro Restaurant
1999 N. Sycamore Ave - Hollywood CA.

•Hosted by Hollywood landmark restaurant Yamashiro
•Enjoy million dollar views and help save lives
•Taste an intriguing selection of wines
•Try a tempting array of foods
•Enjoy great music
•Bid on Fabulous Auction items
•Help BRLA improve the lives of hundreds of homeless Boxers
Tickets:

$60 per person advance sale

$100 per pair advance sale

$75 at the door

advanace sales end Saturday October 10, at 7pm.
BUY TICKET HERE: Donations to BRLA are tax deductible

$60 Single Ticket
$100 Pair of Tickets


SILENT AUCTION

Spa Packages

Autographed Entertainment Memorabilia

Private Home Wine Tasting Party

Original Artwork

Fine dining certificates

Amazing Gift Baskets

Fine Wines

Autographed Sports Memorabilia

Jewelry

Great pet products

and more .....




For more information on Woof & Wine

contact Joni at joni@boxer-rescue-la.com or 310-216-2606

Sullivan's travels

NEWS FLASH
Sullivan's Travel is on TCM tonight at 5pm pt. I love this movie. If you haven't seen it, make sure to catch it. If you have seen it watch it again. I'll be tivoing and then making a huge bowl of popcorn to enjoy it after the kid goes to bed.
Here's a little bit of trivia the title for the George Clooney/ Coen Brothers movie "O Brother, Where For Art Thou" comes from this movie. Did I tell you how much I love George Cloonet today? Just checking.
Anyway, Joel McCrea ain't so bad himself and Veronica Lake is a real dish.Trust me you'll enjoy this movie!

Mad Men: Pete's Sweet and Betty is Dirty

Crazy episode last night. I love the way they're softening up Pete. First he's an integrationist, but only cause it makes money in the ad world, and that's the only thing that should matter. And Now, he feels bad about kissing his wife after raping the neighbors babysitter. Oh and he also feels bad that he's annoyed his neighbor by making his babysitter cry. The neighbor's a real peach too, his advise to Pete is to keep it out of the building.??? Hard to believe that this was once the way the world worked.
Then there was Betty, she seemed a little less than please with the Governors advisor kissing her, but she also seemed like she felt she owed it too him. I guess the lesson from these to plot lines is if you find yourself in the 60's don't let a man do you a favor. Because he will definitely expect some sex back in return, and apparently you come across.
The whole thing with Betty and Don in Rome was great. You got a real sense of who Betty was before she got married, and sidelined to the slow lane. I wanna see some flash backs of Betty in the old days. The whole scene with her fending off the lotharios and telling Don they called him ugly...Priceless.
Anyway that's my recap...Ohhh and Sally kissing that boy in the tub...

Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and Their Times

Inventing L.A.: The Chandlers and Their Times is on PBS tonight. It's all about the generations of owners of the LA Times and their rise and fall. The part I liked best was about Dorothy Chandler, who basically created the theatre and music in Los Angeles, and what she didn't create she saved from the wrecking ball, including the Hollywood Bowl. I'd love to see an entire documentary just on her. After all the Dorothy Chandler pavilion is named for her.
Check it out tonight to see how the LA time influence the nation, and pissed off Nixon at 9.

A Night at the Movies:The Suspenseful World of Thrillers

I totally forgot to tell you about this great documentary that was on TCM last Friday. It's called A Night at the Movies:The Suspenseful World of Thrillers. I really liked it. It breaks down the components of thrillers and shows you examples from all the greatest thrillers. They are showing an encore on Friday Oct 19th at 9:30, check your listings, I'm not sure if that's east or west time.
Even if you don't catch the documentary you can still watch all the thrillers every Friday night in October. I really haven't seen that many of them, The ones I know are great are The Manchurian Candidate on the 9th, The Night of the Hunter on the 23rd, and of course Psycho on the 30th. The first time I saw Psycho I was at sleep away camp and two boys and another girl and I snuck out into the woods to a partially built cabin with a little black and white TV. It was so scary. I know by todays standards it's no Saw, but it sure freaked me out, out there in those wood. Those boys knew what they were doing.
Anyway, check your listings Friday nights in October for all the movies and do try to see the documentary it really is great for the film nerd in us all.

Here's a little Psycho to get you in the mood.

This week in Elise

I am so sorry to have been MIA this week. I did kind of just play Hookie on Tuesday but then Wednesday one of my oldest and dearest friends had her baby and I wanted to be there help, and then yesterday I had to catch up on all the things I let slide Wednesday. And now here I am. End of excuses.



Last night I went and saw August: Osage County at the Ahmanson. It was great probably one of my favorite shows in the last 5 years. Great great great!!! It runs till Oct 18th. So get your tickets now. The entire cast is stellar, and the story line or lines are great. I was literally laughing and crying and having a wonderful time. When a play runs three hours and you're dying for more they are definitely doing something way right. End gush




The other thing I wanted to get in was that Eddie Izzard is playing the Nokia Live January 29th. I love him and I've never seen him live. So I will definitely try to get to this show. Whatever happened to his show on TV The Riches???