Creativity103's photograph used through Creative Commons

The holidays can be a tough time for anyone, but they’re particularly tough for those of us who do not soften the sharp edges of family with alcohol or any other drugs. If you think you might need help getting through Thanksgiving without picking up or if, at some point during the holiday you decide you’re ready to try life without the monkey on your back, it might help to know that Narcotics Anonymous has two round-the-clock marathon meetings in the San Fernando Valley as well as one in Palmdale and another Pasadena. You can find information about all of them on the Southern California NA regional website. They each have meetings on the hour every hour and a potluck dinner. So put down the spoon and pick up a fork and check it out.

It's a Wrap! 2nd Annual Accessories Extravaganza Begins Friday

One of my favorite places to shop in Burbank is It’s a Wrap! They acquire mostly unworn or gently used wardrobe leftovers from movie studios at serious bargain prices. Imagine a thrift store that carries couture! They always have tons of designer labels for both men and women in a variety of sizes (not just size 2). They also have jewelry and accessories. I recently picked up a Prada dress with the tags still intact for under $200, six pairs of luxury tights (unopened) for $3 each, a silk scarf for $5 and a Theory trench coat for $10.

With all of this in mind, I seriously had second thoughts about publicizing this sale so that I could keep all of the bargains to myself, but what the hell. Starting this Friday, November 27, It’s a Wrap! will be hosting their Second Annual Accessories Extravaganza. Also, the first 25 customers to spend $50 or more in the store that day will receive a gift certificate (contact store for specifics).

Recent arrivals include wardrobe from “Monk,” “Deal or No Deal,” “House,” “Law Abiding Citizens,” “Dexter”, “CSI:Las Vegas,” “CSI:Miami,” “Law and Order Criminal Intent,” “Hannah Montana,” “Angels and Demons,” Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros. and 20th Century Fox. Browse through racks of high end labels such as Chanel, Prada, Terijon, Elie Tahari, Theory, Rebecca Taylor, Burburry, Carmen Marc Valvo, Versace, Georgio Armani, Bagley Mishka, Naieem Khan, Marc Bouwer, Roberto Cavalli and more.

They have two locations, one in Burbank and one on the West side.

It’s A Wrap! Burbank:

It’s A Wrap! West Side:

Visit itsawrap.com for more information.

Zeppelin by Jitze

Airship Ventures is in town offering various L.A. tours by Zeppelin through this coming Tuesday, November 24th. The Bay Area-based company operates the only sightseeing airship in the United States and for the past year and a half, they have flown over the San Francisco Bay, the Monterey Coast, and L.A. At this past week’s Mindshare, one of company’s founders, Alexandra Hall said that due to the growing popularity of the Long Beach to Hollywood tours, Airship Ventures plans to spend nearly half of 2010 in Southern California. I’m really tempted to book a flight.

You don’t have to worry about another Hindenburg disaster as the Zeppelin is filled with non-flammable helium, not hydrogen. (Yes, all helium is non-flammable, but the company has to state the obvious for the general masses). You can read all about the specs of the ship, available tours, and the journey of getting this venture in the air at the company’s site.

Ticket are a little out of my price range, but imagine what an amazing journey you’d be taking. Booking information can be found here.

Here’s some information I ripped from the event’s Facebook page:

Camera Assassins is the newest Wise Guys Events game! Play in teams of 2: that’s right, teams of 2! Get your future Amazing Race partner in on the action. It’s part photo scavenger hunt, part Assassin. You and your partner are racing to complete as many of the photo challenges as you can. The catch is, you can’t do them without the help of the other teams, and one of the other players is aiming to kill you. Unless your partner is.

Camera Assassins, the amazing game of double exposure! RSVP on their Facebook event page to play.

The cost is $20 per team, to be collected on game day.

Saturday, November 21, 2009
1:00p – 4:00p
Westwood Park – Meet at the Picnic Benches
1300 Veteran Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024

Venice Beach

Ok, Metbloggers and Metblogs readers, get off your bikes and get ready for the Great Los Angeles Walk 2009 this Saturday, November 21.  This annual walk to celebrate Los Angeles has been taking place since 2006.  Here’s Will Campbell’s preview of last year’s walk. This year, over 300 feet are expected to join in.

Who
Great Los Angeles Walk is the brainchild of Mike and Maria, purveyors of the Franklin Avenue blog, and no doubt passionate readers of Los Angeles Metblogs.

What

A 13.5 mile walk from the Shrine Auditorium to Venice Beach, taking in the sights along Figueroa, Adams, Washington, the Mid-City, and Culver City on the way.

The Mid City Neighborhood Council is sponsoring a “Water & Supply Station” outside the Atomic Cafe, located at 5001 W. Washington Blvd. (one block west of La Brea).   It will have free bottled water, snacks, sunscreen/band-aids, and also a limited number of token items “to show our appreciation for this year’s walk participants. ” Additionally, the Atomic Cafe will be offering a lunch special to GLAW participants.

Plans for an after party at a Venice Beach venue right near the finish are also in the works.

When
Saturday, November 21, 2009.

Where
Meet at the side of the Shrine Auditorium (665 West Jefferson Blvd.), across from USC Parking Lot D at “around” 8:30 a.m. (walk begins at “about” 9:30).  You can also join the walk along the way (this baby is un-structured!)

Why
(this is my favorite part) “Why not? There’s no special reason, no charity, no protest, no issue we’re promoting — other than a passion for Los Angeles.”

Whim
RSVP to franklin_avenue@yahoo.com — or just show up!

See the first link above for full details.

VerdElf at SantaCon 2008 (Photo courtesy of Colin Young-Wolff and the LA Times)

Details about the annual Santa Conference (SantaCon) is usually unavailable this early in the year and the veracity of any information that does become available is often in question due to Santa’s propensity for pranking. What we do know is this, the annual conference is coordinated by a shadowy figure known only as “Santa” and while he sometimes tolerates elves at his annual gathering,  he will do anything it takes to keep those damn clowns from ruining his jolly good time.

While specific details about SantaCon are never revealed until it is actually happening, I just received some intel regarding this year’s event that may be helpful for those of you who are looking to either participate or avoid it altogether. My sources have informed me that this year’s event will take place on Saturday, December 12.

I am also told that Santa is likely to be traveling on foot instead of bus this year, which means a $5 Metro Day Pass is all you’re going to need to hurl your cheer onto every street corner.

Last year, Santa merged at Echo Park Lake to begin the conference. So far, no one has revealed the exact starting location of this year’s event, but to me downtown seems like an obvious choice. Then, you never really know with Santa.

Ho, ho, ho.

Learn how to make Tamales at Tarascos on Nov. 17

For those of you who like to know how to make stuff, my favorite Mexican joint in Silver Lake, Tarascos is hosting a Tamale Class on Tuesday, November 17 at 10:00 am and 7:00 pm. The class is only $15.00, which includes all of the  materials you will need to make a small batch of your very own tamales from scratch.

Students will have the option to take their tamales home to bake on their own or Tarascos will bake the tamales for you and let you pick them up later (tamales take about 4 hours to bake).  Students will learn how to make chicken, cheese and vegetarian tamales.

To sign up, call Tarascos at 323.669.3300. Click here to follow Tarascos on twitter for their daily specials.

The installation will showcase art work from over 200 artists with the years 1940 – 1980 displayed at MOCA Grand Avenue and 1980 to the present at The Geffen Contemporary gallery.

On November 19th, you can hear Two Artists Perspectives of Los Angeles in the 70s.

Join William Leavitt and Allen Ruppersberg, both of whom are featured in Collection: MOCA’s First Thirty Years, for a conversation with independent curator Carole Ann Klonarides about the experience of making and presenting work in the 1970s. This event is hosted by X-TRA, Los Angeles’s longest running contemporary art journal.

The talk is free to attend.

Nissan's New Electric Car Debuts in LA this Weekend

November 14, 2009 10am – 9pm
Third Street Promenade
1351 3rd Street Promenade
Santa Monica, CA

November 15, 2009 11am – 8pm
Americana at Brand
233 S. Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA

November 16, 2009 9am – 5pm
University Southern California
3501 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, CA

According to Nissan, the LEAF handles and accelerates like a V6 and has a top speed of up to 90mph. It will have an average range of 100 miles per charge and the battery will charge in 4-8 hours on a 220V home charging unit. At quick-charge stations, it will charge to 80% in about 26 minutes. Although Nissan has not released exact information on pricing, they say that they are “targeting a price in the range of other typical family sedans.” The LEAF will be on the road in some states in 2010, with mass-production beginning in 2012.

To attend one of the unveiling events this weekend, register on their website here.

I met up with a group of friends and we waited in line for about an hour for brunch in the café. It gave us time to look at some of the surrounding displays. While you could order from the regular menu, there was also a special Hello Kitty menu, of course, featuring a high tea and character shaped pancakes and waffles. Guess what we chose to order. There was no way we could pass up a combo of yummy and cute!

This is the last week of the event and I predict that it will be quite crowded this coming weekend as folks realize it’s their last chance. I’ve heard that it’s not so bad during the week, so that may be the way to go if your schedule allows. I plan to go back just for the store as the line to get in yesterday was incredibly long.

Three Apples runs through Sunday, November 15th at Royal/T in Culver City, 10am-10pm. There is no admission fee, but you might have to wait to get into the shop or be seated in the café.