Monday, September 17, 2012

Get Your Car Washed Where the Hollywood Stars Do


I'm a Realtor, and like any good Realtor, I need a sparkling, clean car to drive clients around in. So where do you find a trustworthy car wash in Hollywood and West Hollywood? I read all the Yelps and reviews about the various car washes in the area and finally took mine to the Santa Palm Car Wash on Santa Monica Boulevard. For $13.95 for a basic wash, they do a great job every time vacuuming, cleaning the interior windows and leaving the wheels sparking clean. I have no complaints. While they're spiffing up your car, take a look at their version of Mann's Chinese theater: their wall of fame. Over 200 autographed photos line the walls of the hallway, so you can watch your car being washed and get a giggle over the photos of the big names...and not-so-big names. Enjoy. Who knows....you might just get your big break here.
8787 Santa Monica Boulevard  Los Angeles, CA 90069
(310) 659-7888

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Explore Millard Sheets Mid-Century Bank in Hollywood

A few weeks ago, I did a blog on the modernist, mid-century Millard Sheets SoCal Home Savings Bank on the Corner of Vine and Sunset. Here's an article in Curbed LA giving you the whole scoop on the building (now a Chase branch) and can lead you to all of his other works. http://la.curbed.com/archives/2012/09/mapping_millard_sheetss_beautiful_socal_home_savings_banks.php
The article also has a great map that lets you find all the other Sheets building in the Los Angeles area. So get your hair done up in a beehive, put on your lime-green Capri pants and enjoy the work of this mosaic-prone architect who did so much to beautify L.A.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Get Custom-designed Poetry in the Hollywood Area




I first saw this woman at the Ivar Farmer's market in August with her little stand and typewriter. I watched as she talked to a client and banged out a poem right on the spot and read it to her client. Neat, romantic, unique. It seemed like a wonderful idea. I haven't seen her the last few Farmer's Markets in September, but she's still out there. I've attached her business card. So if you're trying to romance someone but can't seem to find the words, give her a call or email.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Lose Weight While Practicing Your Affirmations in West Hollywood

SoulCycling is the new rage. You basically spin on a stationary bicycle in the noise and heat while someone yells affirmations at you. Not my cup of tea, but some people love it. Katie Holmes does it. So does Lady Gaga. So why not you? It's close too. At the Equinox Gym on the Sunset Strip. Here's an article that appeared in Vanity Fair's September Issue about the sweating, grunting, yelling, life-affirming cycling classes: http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2012/09/soul-cycle-celebrity-cult-following
8590 West Sunset Boulevard  Hollywood, CA 90069. 310-289-1900


Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Free, Terrific Historic Walking Guide to Hollywood Boulevard Area

Published by the Angel's Walk LA organization, this is a terrific guide to the history, buildings, signage, and movie and theater palaces in the Hollywood area. It makes a really great read. (There are other maps of other L.A. areas such as the Wilshire area and one of Union Station. You can dowload the pfd of the Hollywood Boulevard walk here:
http://www.angelswalkla.org/walks_hollywood.html

See Two Art Deco Sculptures in Hollywood


Because Hollywood was the center of early, modern Los Angeles, it's awash in Art Deco buildings and sculpture. These two sculptures were created by Paul Manship, entitled the Flight of Europa. The one sculpture can be viewed at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and was modeled in 1925. The same sculpture can been seen in a much larger form in front of the Chase bank (formerly Washington Mutual Bank) at 1500 North Vine Street.

Visit the Rich and Famous at Hollywood Forever Cemetery











This beautiful cemetery in the heart of Hollywood at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard is the final resting place for some famous--and some not-so-famous celebrities. Marion Davies (mistress of William Randolph Hearst), Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Rudolph Valentino, Joey Ramon, King Kong actresss Fay Wray, Peter Lorre, fashion pundit Mr. Blackwell, Warner Brothers voice Mel Blank and our beloved Golden Girl, Estelle Getty. A memorial marker near the pond commemorates Jayne Mansfield, but it is just that--a marker showing that she made it in Hollywood. She is buried in Pennsylvania. Definitely worth a stroll on a sunny afternoon.

See the lights of Los Angeles from the famous Mid-Century Stahl house

Also known as Case Study House No. 22, this Pierre Koenig masterpiece of minimalist modernism was built in 1959, but when it was photographed in 1960 by architectural photographer Julius Shulman, it became a sensation. It still is. And now you can visit it. There are late afternoon and evening viewings (check the website to confirm times and buy tickets). The evening showing is  especially wonderful, as you and a very small group of people can watch the sun go down and the magical lights of Los Angeles far below come on and twinkle as far as the eye can see: the quintessential L.A. experience. Not to be missed.  Here is the link for the Stahl House website: http://www.stahlhouse.com/


Saturday, September 1, 2012

Best Bookstore in Hollywood...in Los Angeles

Hennessey + Ingalls book store. Most of us have probably wandered into their Santa Monica store, but fewer people realize that they have a beautiful store right here in Hollywood on Cahuenga. Located in the Space 15 Twenty, it's an I-want-to-buy-everything-in-this-store kind of place, filled to the exposed rafters with art, architectural, photography, graphic design, interior design, landscaping, fashion, and furniture books, postcards and magazines. A really great place to spend some time after you've had your Umami burger right next door or before you catch a movie at the ArcLight cinemas across Sunset Boulevard.


Space 15 Twenty
1520 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Suite 8
Los Angeles, CA 90028

We are located half a block north of sunset. Parking is available at a public lot on the corner of Selma/Ivar.

Contact:
Phone: (323) 466-1256
Fax: (323) 466-1362

Hours:
Monday - Friday 11:00am - 8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday 10:00am - 8:00pm

Friday, August 31, 2012

Stretch Yourself Thin With Free Yoga in Runyon Canyon

Runyon Canyon park. Hollywood. Several times a day. Donations accepted. Depending on the day and time, there can be quite a following. Enter at the top of Fuller Avenue above Franklin. There is an honor bar (they trust you to pay for what you take) with water and snacks at the entrance to the park on Fuller. Bring your mat, clear your mind and stretch your way to healthy living, especially if you're on a budget.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Free Happy Hour (Literally) Wednesdays nights, West Hollywood

Just one week left (ends Labor Day weekend).  Free cocktails during the first hour of happy hour (6pm to 7pm) Wednesdays only at the London Hotel in West Hollywood, Rooftop pool. Drink in West Hollywood and views of the city and hills in the evening. 1020 N San Vicente Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90069