SANTA MONICA WALKING TOURS

Thanks to well-known Michael's Restaurant for the invite tonight to their "new" M-F, 5pm to close, "Happy Hour" launch! All menu items $6.00. Featuring farm to glass cocktails with herbs & fruits from Michael's rooftop garden & SM Farmer's Market! Try Michael's unique cocktails, or original menu items!!

Happy President Day! Best to President Obama... Off on Santa Monica Shopping Tours today to find those holiday treasures!!! www.santamonicashoppingtours.com

Santa Monica Aquarium (1600 Ocean Front Walk) wants you to come by! The aquarium celebrates the annual migration of the Pacific gray whale now=terrific! One of my favorite venues!!! Pricing: $5

Actor/Director, Peter Berg was shopping Main Street in Santa Monica this week. Since Peter had recently acted on the Showtime television show, "Californication" shot here, and for years he has gone to my local gym, it was nice to see him!

Happy Valentines Day, Santa Monica!!! xo...

"Rest In Peace" Whitney Houston. Thank you for the great music & films over time. "I will always love you" from "The Bodyguard" a favorite of mine. Santa Monica is very close to Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where Whitney was staying & where Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy party was happening Saturday night. Such a sad loss for all. A terrific montage of Whitney Houston performances of "I Will Always Love You".

Twilight movie series stay in Santa Monica! Summit Entertainment (studio behind Twilight movies) sold their company to Lionsgate, our well-known Santa Monica independent movie studio for 412.5 million. Love it! Lionsgate has their own roster of great movies over time, & adding Summit's movies on schedule will make Lionsgate even more powerful! Let the Twilight franchise continue! Speaking of new Santa Monica Happenings, Kohl's Department Store is opening it's 1st ever California Design Center in Santa Monica! Welcome! Also, be sure to check out the Annenberg Beach House. The photography exhibit, LA Icon & other Impressions are on display through April 15th, from 9am-3pm. If you're up for a bite afterwards, "Back on the Beach," the great restaurant on the beach just S. of the Annenberg is a thought. Tell the Owner, Fred, "Hello!" Enjoy the weekend Santa Monica!!!

Cirque Du Soleil new show, "Ovo" is currently in Santa Monica at the Santa Monica Pier. Cirque Du Soleil is working together with their Pier neighbor, by sponsoring Heal The Bay's, "Santa Monica Aquarium" Free Sundays through February! For those of you Tourists, Travelers, or local Residents alike, those youngins', or anyone with a "youthful spirit", one of the things to do Santa Monica is going to the Santa Monica Aquarium located in the lower level of the Pier! Enjoy experiencing over 100 different species from the sea. Pure joy!! Check picture on "What's Happening Santa Monica!"= http://santamonicawalkingtours.com/whatshappeningsm.html

Singer, Pink, with husband Corey Hart riding on the Santa Monica Bike Path on Sunday, then hitting the Omelette Parlor on Main Street! Check pic: http://santamonicawalkingtours.com/celebritysightings.html

Superbowl is here! For those of you in Santa Monica, check out Downtown Santa Monica & Santa Monica Place (Yankee Doodles, The Yard, The Market, etc), or Main Street (Finn McCools, O'Brians, etc), or even Montana Ave (The Library, etc). So many great bars/pubs to enjoy the game at. See you!!!

High speed chase thru Santa Monica?! That's some eager visitor! Sheriff's deputies pursued a vehicle Saturday down Pacific Coast Highway "to the heart of Santa Monica," where the chase was picked up by officers from the Santa Monica Police Department. Finally caught in West LA. If they had just taken the Santa Monica "Walking" Tours, they'd be out of jail today. Just saying... www.santamonicawalkingtours.com

Our 22 mile Santa Monica Bike Path along the sand was crowded today! Santa Monica weather is summer-like= bikers, walkers, rollerbladers, skateboarders, sailers, even Grandma's on Segways! Everyone's out Santa Monica! Happy weekend!!! Check out new & exciting fitness happenings= www.santamonicawalkingfitness.com

It's February, Santa Monica's weather is beautiful, & Santa Monica Shopping Tours are in full swing! (Check santamonicawalkingtours.com). Jennifer Garner was shopping Santa Monica yesterday, and as you can see, she found "lots" of Santa Monica treasures!!! "Let's Shop Santa Monica!" http://www.santamonicashoppingtours.com/smshoppingtours.html

If you like "Cougars", ("now watch it, referring to the TV show!") Courtney Cox & Joshua Hopkins filmed ABC's Television Show, "Cougars", at Santa Monica Beach yesterday!!

Love this story of Anton, the Belgian Malinois, a trained police canine trained to sniff out criminal suspects! Sgt. Douglas Kohno has been his human police partner for 71/2 years. Anton, now 11 years retired officially this month after those 7 ½ years of service with the Santa Monica Police Department. Anton has been credited by the Santa Monica Police Department with successfully facilitating numerous felony arrests. At the end of their work shift together, Anton always returned home to live with Sgt. Kohno. Since it is police department's policy to transfer ownership of the canines that have reached the end of their service life to their handlers for a nominal sum= in this case, $1, Anton will now peacefully retire & live with the partner & his family who have loved him and respected his dedication all these years!!

Great to see a friend, actor Patrick Duffy presenting at the Screen Actors Guild Awards last night (with Linda & Larry). Happy to see the new "Dallas" will be on TNT this summer! The drama continues...

What an amazing Australian Men's Championship last night between Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal=the longest Grand Slam Final in history (5 hrs, 53 minutes!). Amazing talent, exciting, unpredictable, down to the wire!!! Loved it! Djokovic won!!! Ready to pick up my Santa Monica tennis racket & hit Reed Park tennis courts!! Happy Day!

Summer has arrived in January!!! Santa Monica promotes the Santa Monica Downtown Walking Tours, as the weather is ideal for walking! "Let's Walk Santa Monica!" is our motto, and today was the perfect day when everyone was out walking. Weather in the 70's, crowded beaches, busy shopping venues, & we all know why Santa Monica is the best place to visit/live! More Visitors will be able to experience our great city by the beach soon, as President Obama has plans to boost tourism, promising a fresh boost to the economy by making it easier for foreign tourists to travel to the U.S., a move welcomed by Santa Monica representatives. Working to aid the visa application process that some visitors must experience to even come to Santa Monica will be soon made easier. "America is open for business", President Obama declared on Thursday. Santa Monica's economy will become stronger as 1.2 billion is now generated by Tourism each year & 10,000 jobs are supported by Tourism. Expanding the opportunities for more people to gain access to & enjoy Santa Monica benefits everyone! Love it!!

Look forward to seeing Helen Hunt starring in the stage performance of "Our Town" which just opened last weekend at Santa Monica's amazing "Broad Stage." Helen also got a standing ovation recently at the Sundance Film Festival for her role in the upcoming film, “The Surrogate.” Both powerful performances!!!

Yay! "Blog Santa Monica" is back to working! Had a few year end glitches with the programming, yet we appear to be back in full swing now. "2012" will bring more frequent blogging because frankly, there is new & exciting Santa Monica information to share with everyone daily. For now, since we just got back to working condition, I'll share alot of the great "happenings" that have taken place in January, both the past ones (since we were delayed) & the up & coming "places to be" & Things to do" in our great city by the beach! Loved going to the Annenberg Beach House this month. What a place to visit. Not only do they have the historical information on actress, Marion Davies estate ( the locale of which our Beach House now sits, but they have a docent tour that shows you the original Guest House with lots of memorabilia!!! There was also a birthday celebration for Marion Davies (now deceased) at the Annenberg January 8th. Open to all there was great weather, docent tour, & refreshments enjoyed by all! On January 9th, the Golden Globes foreign language films were shown at the Aero Theatre on Montana Avenue.
The film, "A Separation" is a favorite & ended up winning the Golden Globe Award for "Best Foreign Film" last Sunday! January 10th, Santa Monica Place (our great outdoor mall), had a Global Street, Food & Beer Tasting Dinner with lots of activity, great cuisine & drinks to match! January 12th- 16th kept the month innovative with the 21st annual Photo LA Art Exhibition at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.  The Broad Stage, always offering unique & joyous entertainment presented "Our Town" starring actress, Helen Hunt beginning January 12th-February 12th! For those ready & willing to tackle a round flat piece of plastic & enjoy the amazing day that went with it, the 12th annual Beach Ultimate Frisbee competition was here at Santa Monica Beach, January 14th & 15th. Civil minded Santa Monica also celebrated Martin Luther King Jr's day by showcasing the Santa Monica Symphony performing (amongst others) for the Martin Luther King Commemorative Concert January 15th at the Ikeda World Peace Auditorium. The following day brought a terrific annual Martin Luther King day celebration at the same local presented by the Westside Coalition with great entertainment, speeches, tributes, scholarships, and so much more! Today is extra special, as Cirque du Soleil is back in Santa Monica! Performing their popular show, "OVO", everyone will be anxiously ready & waiting for tonight's 1st performance at the Santa Monica Pier!!! For those of you who want to check out our "State of the City" yearly address/gathering open to all (tickets thru Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce), please join everyone on January 26th with an early morning 7:30am breakfast. Just a few of our friendly celebrities that have been shopping, dining, & of course, walking Santa Monica, Josh Duhamel, Gwen Stefani, Jennifer Garner, Zac Efron, Jessica Alba, & Kellan Lutz were just a few of them. Check out www.santamonicawalkingtours.com under 'Celebrity Sightings" for more (plus pics!!) Happy January everyone. Look forward to seeing you soon!!!

December is here! Holiday Santa Monica shopping, sales, festive parties, tree lightings, festive parties, Santa popping up all over town, even our regular dolphins are still showing up this December. There are Holiday deals happening all over Santa Monica! Check out  our Santa Monica Shopping Tours!!! Just saw Oscar de la Hoya on Main Street, Jennifer Garner was Downtown Santa Monica on Friday, & so many more celebs & busy shoppers looking for the best finds! Look out for Dottie Dexter in 2012, showing more "Ways to Go" Santa Monica!! "Blog Santa Monica" will be more frequently updated in 2012 too. Lots of new & exciting happenings to come!!! Love it!

Happy November! The month's have been going fast. So many "happenings" are constantly going on in beautiful Santa Monica. A few current upcoming fun happenings are the Crafts Show at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for those of you who want to make the perfect personalized gem gift for those special someones, as the holidays approach! Then we have "Ice" at Santa Monica returning November 15th (5th & Broadway). Our own Santa Monica Winter Wonderland returns for a few months this year & most assuredly will bring lots of great fun & good cheer to both Santa Monica Visitors & Residents alike! On a personal Santa Monica Walking Tours note, fun-loving, feisty, & always "youthful spirited" Dottie Dexter will be highlighting her own Walking Tours coming soon! Santa Monica won't know what hit em' with Dottie Dexter in town (going after that dream), yet it's guaranteed to be a wacky adventure for all!!! While there will be more holiday updates unfolding soon, just keep in mind that Cirque Du Soleil is once again coming to Santa Monica right after the holidays, which is bound to be amazing! Joy, joy, joy, awaits in the coming days, Thanksgiving (for all that is appreciated), holiday sales (& those great Santa Monica deals), skating for all ages, Santa arriving bringing great cheer, singing (yes, catching ourselves singing that holiday jingle), etc., so remember, "Let's Walk Santa Monica!" You never know what will be "happening" next... Enjoy & be good to one another!!!!

Hi to all! It's been a busy summer on all ends. Hard to believe October is here & right around the corner are the holidays!! So happy to see so many exciting summer activities like the Twilight Concert Series at the Santa Monica Pier, our Outdoor Drive-In Movies (albeit without car use=environmentally-friendly), etc... Summer ending does not change the fun activities in Santa Monica, as we always have new & entertaining "happenings" going on. Check out "What's Happening Santa Monica" on our website, & keep in mind a few that will keep you "walking" & bring great joy. For those of you looking to learn more about Santa Monica's history, check out the Santa Monica History Museum in our beautiful Santa Monica Main Library in Downtown Santa Monica. This museum is the 1st museum to display art, culture, & history of Santa Monica with unique pictures, artifacts, etc. that will aid in getting you even more familiar with the city. "Movies on the Deck" at Santa Monica Place continue Wednesdays, 7pm thru October 26th, or recurring Wednesday's "Ballroom by the Bay" dancing (7pm-1am) w/ added lessons (7-7:45pm), or laugh out loud Wednesday's to stand up comedy at MI's Westside Comedy Theatre, 8-9:30pm, or Sheraton Delfina's weekly live performances of eclectic gypsy, jazz, blues, folk, pop music 6-9pm, Wed., Thurs., & Friday. The Paint Lab on Main Street brings "Paint, Wine, & Cheese" on the weekends=Fri. & Sat. 6pm. For those kids, also on Main Street, check out "Books & Cookies", a new children's bookstore, bakery & enrichment center... Blog Santa Monica will be adding alot of new & exciting new additions both to the Tours & to the blog, so stay tuned!!! xo & peace!!!

Alot has been going on here in June Santa Monica! Some heartfelt & exciting "happenings" have been going on in our beautiful, rated "Top 10 beach in the World" favorite city! In no particular order, we saw Kobe Bryant (Laker's great) & his wife, Vanessa, form a Foundation that plans to team with Santa Monica's "Step Up On Broadway". They will work together to aid the homeless, initially focusing on the youth. In other cause driven actions, Santa Monica City Councilman, Bobby Shriver & a team of attorneys filed lawsuits accusing the Federal Government of misusing 390 acres of land in W. Los Angeles that were donated over 130  years ago for Veterans in need. Kudos to Bobby Shriver for protecting the interests of what's been said to be possibly 8,000 homeless Veterans on the streets of LA, averaging approximately 11% of all the homeless Veterans nationally. Toms Shoes (on Main Street) is also stepping up their good causes by expanding their product line. Once exclusively just footwear (which for every pair sold, another pair is given to underprivledged children). Now Tom's Santa Monica store (in keeping with their one for one staple), plans to give a pair of reading/visual glasses for every one bought to those in need. Kudos to you!!! Cheers also to Pacific Park's CEO & General Manager, Mary Ann Powell, who received a Lifetime Achievement Award at our Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner this month. Thanks for all your great efforts in Santa Monica over many years! Pacific Park continued their giving spirit by offering free admission one Thursday this month to all the Special Olympic Athletes, Emergency Response Members, & Volunteers who participated in the recent annual Special Olympic State Games. Love it! Last, but not least, thanks to Angie Haro at "Working Village" at 212 Marine Street (off Main St.). Angie aids in running the show at "Working Village", a great venue for short term office space, computer usage, audition needs, etc. What makes Angie exceptional, is that she aids customers with friendliness, openness & heart=hard to find!!! For all of you who aid each other & our great city, "Thank you". Continued best efforts!!! As July 4th approaches, & the festivities all over the city begin, remember to be safe, & enjoy yourselves Santa Monica!! peace... 

How terrific! Santa Monica was recently named the Top 10 "Best" Beach in the World, by National Geographic. Yay!!! Plus, Santa Monica just received a #A rating for our ocean's clean waters!!! Love it!
Thanks to Bubba Gump's Restaurant for the great Santa Monica Chamber mixer May 18th, where lots of business people came to celebrate the greatness of Santa Monica.
The appetizers & specialty drinks were great, the singer so talented, & the atmosphere facing the ocean at Bubba Gump's fun for all!
Also, went to The Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau Annual Summit at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel
in May. The breakfast was great & the speakers so informative about the present & future of our great city by the beach. I loved it when they stated that over 70% of all overnight guests staying in Santa Monica never drive once they have arrived here!!! "Let's Walk Santa Monica" Love it!!
Last Tuesday the Santa Monica beach had another carousel (vs. just our historical Santa Monica Pier carousel), when the television show, "America's Top Model" brought in a carousel to film their television show on our great beach! 
June is right here Santa Monica. Check out the June Friday Night Drive In Movies, 7:30pm at the Santa Monica Pier. This week, June 3rd begins with the season premiere of Animal Planet's Reality Series, "Whale Wars". Free Whale Wars beach towels will be given to the 1st 1,500  in attendance. The following week's movies will be "50  First Dates", "Jurassic Park", & the animated, "Surf's Up". Bring those beach chairs Santa Monica! We'll see you there!!!

Happiness to you all! Sorry about the delays in blogging. I went through a move that needless to say, was/is quite eventful! Happy to report that so much has/is happening in the middle of this great change. So many great Santa Monica venues are now opening. M Street Kitchen took over where La Grande Orange resided for several years on Main Street. I went to a great Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Center event at M Street Kitchen a few weeks back which was terrific. Their lemonade/vodka specialty drink was a hit, as well as their Margarita pizza, Sliders, & other choice menu items!
This last week I went to a VIP luncheon at the new pre-opening of True Food Kitchen, at Santa Monica Place. True Food Kitchen is in collaboration with healthy foods maverick, Dr. Andrew Weil (who was also in attendance). Starting out with lettuce cupped sauteed tofu & vegetables, their signature hummus with healthy flat breads, followed by their special soy sauce highlighting True Food's brown rice bowl with tofu. Loved it all! Then, who heard of an anti-oxidant orange sorbet? Yes, they have it! The menu is unique, interesting, healthy based, yet so tasty. Our waitress, Lizet, was personable & professional. True Food just opened their doors on Monday. Healthy living is expanding in Santa Monica. Love it!
Now, those of you who wondered if Aero Theatre on Montana Ave. was still the happening place after decades of entertainment joy, I will just let you know it is. I went to a friend's live showcase there on Saturday. Another key landmark that showcases the greatness of Santa Monica, with the stories from the past & present highlighting that! Today is another great day in Santa Monica. The weather is beautiful, there was an early morning Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau 2nd Annual Tourism Summit at Fairmont Miramar Hotel with a great breakfast to start it off with. The hit television show, "Entourage" was filming in the Fairmont Miramar's Hotel lobby today as we entered. A bit later, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce hosted their monthly Tech Support session which always proves to be informative. Look out for the Santa Monica Walking Tours App. coming soon! Enjoy the rest of the week Santa Monica... Will be back in touch soon!

• Patch is announcing that Earth Day Santa  Monica celebrations will get an early start in Santa Monica today, April 7th with an environment-related event staged by skin-care company Kiehl’s. Actors Michael C. Hall, Mario Lopez and Chloë Sevigny will be at the store's Montana Ave. location from 7 to 9 p.m., during which time a new deep-pore cleansing masque will be unveiled. All proceeds from sales of the masque will go to the Waterkeeper Alliance founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Also check out:The 62nd annual Stairway of the Stars concert featuring 26 bands, orchestras and choirs—will kick off  tonight (April 7th) at 7 p.m. The two-night show, presented by the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, will take place at the Civic Auditorium. This year's guest conductor is Pete Anthony, a Hollywood composer who has worked on films including The Sixth Sense and Spider-Man. Meanwhile, Zina Josephs and Jean Sedillos, who have supported the district’s music and arts programs, will jointly receive the 2011 Stairway Honor Award.

Santa Monica has had alot of exciting local "happenings" here this last month, from the Teen Choice Awards nominees & winners staying at the beach hotels, to the TV show, NCIS Los Angeles filming April 6th at the beach. It's a beach happening time of the year!!!

Best to all the people in Japan (including friends) during their recent earthquake & Tsunami. It makes us all realize the importance of being kind now. As the saying goes, "There's no promise of tomorrow". Love & peace to everyone in Japan, & everyone all over the world who is going through whatever challenge now.

The Santa Monica Walking Tours are busier & busier now. Thanks to everyone who has called & e-mailed about current & upcoming Tours=so appreciated! 

Santa Monica recently had their "Buy Local" Santa Monica annual event on the Third Street Promenade. Last Saturday the crowds were out supporting local businesses, with shopping, raffles, and entertainment. The weather held up, as there were predictions of rain which ended up holding off till late Saturday eve. That said, the heavens decided to open up as Sunday's Marathon was off to a great start "&" hit with those heavenly rains! Some might say a bit much, yet that is what's brilliant about athletes & supportive cheering crowds. No adversity can diminish the greatness of this annual event as over 27,000 chose to partake in a wet, yet glorious annual running event that ended in our Santa Monica! Congratulations to the winners!! I was happily cheering & so proud that the finish line was in our beautiful city!!! Check out "What's Happening Santa Monica" for current happenings. Alicia Silverstone spoke tonite at the Main Library, promoting her book, "A Kind Diet". Model, Claudia Schiffer was also out at Santa Monica beach today with her kids, while staying in one of our popular hotels nearby. Reese Witherspoon was seen taking a Santa Monica run yesterday, then heading to one of our terrific local spas! A little rain doesn't stop anyone from coming to Santa Monica. We look forward to seeing you all soon!

Hard to believe a week has gone by since the Film Independent Spirit Awards came to beautiful Santa Monica beaches. I was there, and aside from the breeze, okay, a swift wind, the event went off without a hitch. Nicole Kidman & Keith Urban were there, Natalie Portman, Aaron Echart, Paul Rudd, Ben Stiller, Naomi Watts, Mark Ruffalo, Annette Benning & Warren Beatty, as well as many more. Always so great to see Independent Films recognized for their greatness. Speaking of Independent Films, Miamax has moved to Santa Monica! Yes, their headquarters will now be in Santa Monica. In it's library of movies, Miramax has such great movies as "The English Patient", "Shakespeare in Love", "Chicago", "Good Will Hunting", to name a few, with Miramax archives having recieved 284 Academy Award nominations & 68 Oscars, including 4 Best Picture Awards. Welcome to Santa Monica! Now, speaking of more terrific venues in Santa Monica, Please don't miss going to the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium, sponsored by Heal the Bay, located right below the Pier incline. The price is amazing, $5.00 suggested donation for adults, with children under 12, $2.00. That price is a steal for all you get to experience. I recently went on a Tour myself with Vicki, who works for Heal the Bay, & one of those in charge of successfully running the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium. Vicki, as well as other key employees & volunteers make sure the Pier Aquarium is run well, & the sealife are cared for appropriately. From live sharks in tanks, to exotic Santa Monica Bay fish, to sealife you can touch, to live octopuses, and the stories behind all, make the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium thee amazing adventure not to be missed! Partial proceeds from the Walking Tours will also aid Heal the Bay, who makes so many great causes towards honoring & protecting sealife and our ocean. Love it! Speaking of sealife, today I saw my almost "daily" fix of dolphins swimming early morning at the Santa Monica beach. Today though, was even more special, as there were multiple seals out at a buoy some ways out from the sand, who thought it the perfect day to raise their voices in unison. Several were hanging together & thought they would let the world know they we're "alive & well!" It's always joyful to see these special beings!! In parting for now, I just want to let you know that I found a great new venue on Bernard Way, off Main Street in Santa Monica. It's called Working Village. For those of you are looking for a place to run your business, whether temporarily or longer, check out this facility. There are open spaces for those wanting to use Wi Fi, for a minimal fee daily, weekly or monthly, as well as separate & modern office like  settings where Film Companies, and the like, can set up shop & not have to commit to long term leases. These type of co-op work spaces have been popular in New York & San Francisco, and now Santa Monica has it's own Working Village. Check it out=great idea! The Santa Monica Walking Tour app. is also on it's way. Thanks to all for asking about it! Happy upcoming week!!!

What's Happening Santa Monica! Actually that's the link to check out on our website for all the Santa Monica current events. There are alot of things happening lately in Santa Monica! For one, we have had a few days of cooler temps & a bit of rain. That has brought the surfers bigger waves, the trees & foliage welcome refreshment, and I still see the dolphins happily dancing in unison, & of course, my buddy, Sammie, the Sea lion repeatedly popping his shiny bald head up, as if to say a friendly "Hey!" February has brought a slew of Celebrities to Santa Monica. Check out our Celebrity Sightings link on the website for pics of everyone from Justin Bieber & Selena Gomez "walking" in Santa Monica, to Jude Law filming here in our popular park, Singer, Pink on the Santa Monica Pier, a pregnant, Jessica Alba working outside a Santa Monica studio, to Dodger's players like Matt Kemp "giving back", aiding Heal the Bay in cleaning Santa Monica beaches of trash. Love it! As if Matt didn't bring enough sports celebrities to our great city for the week, NBA Basketball has now come to Santa Monica!! The "NBA All Stars" basketball game is this Sunday in LA, and it's been said that the Pro Basketball Players were asked, "Where would you like to stay, Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, Century City?" All I will say is that there have been "alot" of Tour buses in Santa Monica outside Loews Hotel, ready to take NBA players, their families, & friends to the "All Stars" appearances (today being a trip to elementary schools meeting with children, part of "NBA CARES"). There will be the basketball dunking championships, etc., tomorrow, plus local Santa Monica nightlife in the eve. Then of course the big game Sunday! It's NBA All Star weekend Santa Monica!!! Snoops Dogg is a celebrity guest for Downtown Santa Monica's Adidas "AdiHOOP" celebrity basketball tournament on Saturday, where lucky members of the public can join him & others if they buy certain Adidas items="Bingo, you're there!" Course, those NBA Stars know a great location like Santa Monica brings lots of welcoming fans. Dwight Howard is signing autographs this Saturday at Footlocker, and on Sunday (in between the big game), Laker star, our beloved, Derek Fisher is making an appearance & signing at Adidas Santa Monica!!! So, if you're visiting & see more than a few rather "tall" fellows passing you in the streets, no it's not something in our local water, it's NBA All Stars weekend Santa Monica! Plus, as if your sports fix needed more activity, for you Golfers, the Annual 2011 Northern Trust Golf Open held in Pacific Palisades Feb 15-21st, chose Santa Monica to host their stay after leaving the Golf Course. With a purse of over 6 million, the younger, yet skilled, Aaron Baddeley won the golf title this year! Lots of positive adrenalin happening this weekend. Enjoy all of our Santa Monica activities ahead!!! Please click on "What's Happening Santa Monica!" for more exciting news...   

Happy Pre-Valentines! Okay, it's right upon us! For those of you who have a great guy or gal, "Kudo's to you! For those of you who are still looking for "thee one", I say, enjoy your life for now, & you'll attract someone terrific! What's that saying about kissing many a frog before the Princess/Prince arrives... While I like the jumping frogs, I can do just fine without having to kiss the human ones. I'll wait! Whether the Prince arrives in a timely fashion, just let me know there are Princesses/Princes' out there. If you gals/guys have found one, let out a Santa Monica "shout out"! Cause it's nice to hear when someone finds a guy or gal who's special & they no longer have to resort to the old frog trick! I'm ready to hear lots of those "shout outs" Santa Monica! Happy romance tomorrow!!!

We certainly had the amazing weather this weekend for loving fun. The Santa Monica streets were full of shoppers galore. Santa Monica Place had the most terrific solo violinist, Josh Vietti, who goes by the name Modern Symphony. Check him out! With the great acoustics in the downstairs outdoor foyer, Josh performed the most eclectic, dynamic performances I had ever heard from a musician, let alone a violinist. What joy! Santa Monica Place Guests on all levels of the open aired 3 story circular mall were viewing Josh Vietti's, Modern Symphony from every location. Such a special day & event for all!!

We have had such amazing "happenings" in Santa Monica this year. Just a few being the pre-Rosebowl festivities this year & the 25,000 who showed up to a rally just North of Santa Monica Pier!!! Then most recently, February 4th, there was the Super Bowl A Thon, which has been a regular "happening" in Santa Monica for over 20 years, bringing together civic leaders, local government, & Santa Monica business' to compete for the cause of aiding the Westside Coalition, which aids the homeless. There's also, if you haven't heard, Micro-biolgist classes offered daily on select Mondays, at Heal the Bay's Santa Monica Aquarium, on the lower level under the Pier's ramp, for any of you who want to extend your knowledge of marine science. Tonight is the Grammy's (Music Awards). I saw many attendees leaving the hotels with their celebratory t-shirts on. "Best" to all the nominees!!! ICE at Santa Monica ends this week, February 15th, so if you don't have a Valentine's Day "happening" lined up, and you're ready to grab the last bits of our Santa Monica Winter Wonderland, check out ICE! Coming up February 26th is the return of the Spirit Awards which celebrate the greatness of Independent films. While they took a brief break last year, they must have soon realized, there is nothing like holding a special event like the Spirit Awards in Santa Monica. After all, we have a few of the original Independent Studios here in Santa Monica, Lionsgate, & Miramax just moved here! Glorious weather, celebrities, & a beautiful beach locale. What's better? Then in March, the LA Marathon is once again ending in Santa Monica! BUY LOCAL will 1st have their Expo on March 19th in Downtown Santa Monica, then on March 20th, the races begin! Santa Monica will also be hosting running participants & their families. The Walking Tours will be in full swing for families & relatives not quite brave enough to run 26 miles!!! This April may bring (as last year) a week when our solar powered ferris wheel turns blue. This action is to support the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals cause. Be on the lookout! Also coming up in 2011, is the Palisades Garden Walk, which will be 7 acres that will connect City Hall with Ocean Avenue, & Cirque De Soleil has expressed an interest in returning to Santa Monica in January 2012! Fabulous!!! Lots to remember & more to look forward to. That's what Santa Monica continuously offers!!! See you soon...          

Okay, well it's not quite Valentine's Day, but the loving feelings were out in beautiful Santa Monica this weekend. Everyone was here basking in our amazing sunshine, which could not have been more perfect for the many Shopping Tours  (& "deals") on Third Street Promenade, Main Street, Montana Avenue, & yes, even Santa Monica Place! Shopping aside, the weekend was made even more perfect for the men in Santa Monica with their big football "Oscars like celebration", the Superbowl! You name it, all the bars & pubs were alive with excitement, as the close game unfolded with Green Bay pulling it off, & taking the shiny trophy!!! Happy February Santa Monica, & I'll be back in touch closer to the "real" Valentine's Day. Keep those loving feelings coming!!!   

Happy weekend Santa Monica! It has been a busy time this last week. January has been busy already with holiday sales continuing after the New Year has ended. Check out Ababhumi on Main Street for some "new" prices & "new"  jewels! Love it! The "Celebs" are all over Santa Monica too. From a well-known singing star, to sitcom star, to recent Dancing with the Stars reality gal, to mischievious reality star, to DUI television star arrest, to recent film actress rehab releasee, to controversial physician (to say the least), to television hot young actress, to 2 hot film stars, they were all out in Santa Monica. Check our "Celebrity Sightings" link for pictures! Oh, & if you were wondering about the identities of these Santa Monica celebrity visitors & residents, they are Rihanna, who was shopping at Fred Segal Santa Monica, Alyson Hannigan, star of "How I Met Your Mother" walking Santa Monica, "Hills", Audrina Partridge, who was filming her own reality show on the Santa Monica beach, Judson "Fabio" Birza, who just won a million dollars on CBS's "Survivor" show arrested for disrupting traffic while on his skateboard, Jaime Pressly, star of "My name is Earl, arrested for DUI, Lindsey Lohan making a Santa Monica Courthouse appearance, Conrad Murray all over town in between his preliminary trial into Michael Jackson' death, Leighton Meester, star of the hit CW show, "Gossip Girl" at "Ice" Santa Monica, Ben Affleck shopping with his daughter, and new father, Orlando Bloom walking Santa Monica!!! There is always so much going on in beautiful Santa Monica. Who wouldn't want to be out when the weather is summer-like, and there is a vast amount of things to do in our great city. Wednesday night was no exception, as it brought together many of the Santa Monica business owners and their representatives for the monthly Chamber of Commerce mixer, which highlights the amazing Santa Monica businesses that work hard year around to make sure Visitors (over 6.5 million a year), and Residents who heavily populate our local businesses are well taken care of. The Chamber event for the new year was at both Zengo & La Sandia on the 3rd floor of Santa Monica Place. Not only were there great appetizers at both restaurants, from Jorge, the executive chef at La Sandia, cooking & even serving the many business owners some of their restaurant's original upscale Mexican favorites, which was great, to Zengo's fresh sushi=a crowd pleaser. There were also special drinks, lots of conversation, happy faces, & new acquaintences among fellow business owners and/or non-profits made. A terrific evening shared by all! PS: Bloomingdales also passed on a bright yellow tote for all Guests, just perfect for our amazing Santa Monica sunny weather. Please check the ongoing sale at the Country Mart, San Vicente & 26th Street thru January 31st. A friend, Jeannine, has a great store to check out, "Post 26." More sales coming up all over Santa Monica, with lots of entertainment & stage shows happening this month. Check our link, "What's Happening Santa Monica!" for updates!!! 

The sunshine is still shining bright in Santa Monica. Today, there was word of the passing of Sargent Shriver (95), Father of Bobby Shriver, who recently served as Mayor of Santa Monica, and is still our City Councilman. Sargent Shriver worked to aid so many over his lifetime. His many achievements included creating the Peace Corps. He was married to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who worked hard to create Special Olympics, where those with physical and/or mental challenges could compete in sports, & in turn, showcase their greatness. What an amazing couple! They looked at the world & said, "What can I do", and did it! The following special statement by his family, pays tribute to Sargent Shriver's legacy.

"Our dad, Robert Sargent Shriver, Jr., lovingly known as “Sarge,” today went to heaven to join the love of his life, our mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. He was surrounded by his five children, five children in-law, and his 19 grandchildren.

He was a man of giant love, energy, enthusiasm, and commitment. He lived to make the world a more joyful, faithful, and compassionate place. He centered everything on his faith and his family. He worked on stages both large and small but in the end, he will be best known for his love of others. No one ever came into his presence without feeling his passion and his enthusiasm for them. He loved God, he loved Eunice, he loved us, he loved anyone who was a servant of peace, justice or joy. He loved life.

We pray that his spirit and example will guide us as we accept the challenge of living as he did. We will miss him forever. May the angels and saints and all his family receive him with a party beyond all imagining."

What an amazing weekend! Santa Monica's "summer-like" weather was here! It's hard to imagine freezing temperatures back East, when we have/had clear days of glorious sunshine!!! Everyone was in Santa Monica this weekend. The crowds took advantage of the great weather, all the Santa Monica special events & sports activities, & the Martin Luther King, Jr. long holiday weekend. We had Palisades Park Walking Tours this weekend. A bit different from our other Walking Tours, the Palisades Park Walking Tour combines current events, city updates, Santa Monica history along Palisades Park & past & present beachside "adventures", as well as a fast paced walk that is sure to get even the most lax participant more in shape. Then Sunday night, we had the Golden Globe Awards right up the street from Santa Monica at the Beverly Hilton. The early evening event was exciting, with a few after parties we enjoyed! On Monday, Martin Luther King, Jr.'s National holiday, it was the place to be, at the Ikeda World Peace Auditorium on 6th & Wilshire in Downtown Santa Monica. This auditorium seats approximately 1,200, and the crowds came in masses to pay tribute to Martin Luther King's legacy towards peace & equality. He would have turned 82 years. What "terrific" performances, beginning with taiko drums performed by the youth=fabulous! The professional singers, and performers of all ages, were brilliant, the spoken words by many, so powerful, and the youth scholarships & community involvement in the program, were the reason this special event was attended by State, County, & Local officials, as well as Santa Monica Guests & Residents like myself. Every year, it is my fortune to attend this powerful & important celebration!!!

This is thee most amazing summer beach weather for a January day!! The Walking Tours have been terrific today too=so many terrific people celebrating Santa Monica. Wednesday's Farmer's Market was busy & the "place to be" this morning! Stopped by Toyota Santa Monica & saw their electric car charging portals available for "all" models of electric cars. The Tour Buses matched the Walking Tours excitement, temporarily venturing outside Santa Monica to view Beverly Hills, Hollywood, etc., and bringing so many more back to Santa Monica. Everyone could not have asked for a more perfect day! Even the Santa Monica Pier was "abuzz" with filming for a Celebrity Music Video going on all day! You guess which celebrity! Love that so many are out enjoying the greatness of Santa Monica! PS: Santa Monica Concierge is happening too now!!! Keep checking back for more details... Love & peace to all!!!

Celebs have been out this week in Santa Monica (for all sorts of reasons!) Reese Witherspoon was walking & shopping Santa Monica. Singer, Rihanna was shopping at Fred Segal Santa Monica. Leighton Meester was at ICE Santa Monica=Ice Skating at a For Hope Event. Ben Affleck was out walking Santa Monica with his daughter. Conrad Murray was outside Nordstrom's at Santa Monica Place (in between testimony in the preliminary hearing concerning Michael Jackson's death). Jaime Pressley was arrested for a possible DUI. Never dull in Santa Monica!!!! Check out our Celebrity Sightings page: http://www.santamonicawalkingtours.com/celebritysightings.html

Saw our Santa Monica multi-colored, beautiful seagulls at the beach, & an amazing cluster of dolphins, plus Sammie, the sea lion in the ocean this morning! Love it! These words of wisdom are great to embrace in 2011: "Turn greed into generosity, anger into compassion, ignorance into wisdom." Reminder to look for the greatness in all beings!!! "Happy Day", Santa Monica!

It is the New Year, 2011!!! "Happy Days" ahead to all! What a great few days ending 2011. Yes, all the great 2010 ending "adventures" happened that were outlined in the last blog. Notre Dame won their big game against Miami in the Sun Bowl (Hurray for my Nephew! Who, if you haven't followed, played on the Notre Dame college football team). We hit festive restaurants, among them, Border Grill, & Musha in Downtown SM, & Football "hotspots", among them O'Brian's on Main St., & Father's Ale on Montana Ave., all in Santa Monica! On New Year's Eve., we absolutely "loved" bowling on Pico Blvd. after attending a World Peace Celebration at the Ikeda World Peace Auditorium on Wilshire Blvd. in Santa Monica! The Starline "Hop on, Hop off" Bus Tours through Santa Monica, Beverly Hills, & Hollywood, followed by the Starline Malibu Stars Homes Bus Tour, could not have been more enjoyable! Loved them! Ice skating at ICE Santa Monica was planned, with a few challenges with the rain, leading us to hit Wahoo's on Wilshire Blvd., for their "perfect for watching Football" eat in, or to go meals! Downtown Santa Monica has every choice of popular movies, including Independent films at Laemmles' on 2nd Street. We chose & loved "Blue Valentine" starring Michelle Williams & Ryan Gosling! 2010 ended with many laughs & great joy, leading into 2011, which continued with many happy, "new adventures" in Santa Monica! 

This is the year for giving back; A "What Can I Do?" spirit. Some close to home organizations that we are determined to aid in a big way in 2011, are St. Joseph's Center; a non-denominational organization that aids with housing issues, as well as homeless, child care, & Seniors needs in Santa Monica! Special Olympics is also an organization close to my heart, having been involved in fitness orientated projects overtime & having served as Volunteer Coordinator for many Special Olympic State Games several years back! The Santa Monica 9th Street Animal Shelter is another important local organization we will work to aid. I am a huge animal lover, & have adopted from, & promote animal shelter adoptions! It's a year for great positive change. May we all have a hand in aiding one another. Happy New Year, Santa Monica!!!

Tomorrow is Notre Dame vs. Miami in the Sun Bowl, 11am (New Year's Eve!) Yay! It's my Nephew's last football game playing for Notre Dame. Auntie Mel will be cheering!! My best friend (still) from college is on her way here to Santa Monica from Las Vegas. Plans are to hit the Santa Monica restaurants, ice skate at ICE, go bowling on Pico Blvd. (also in Downtown SM), watch college Football (& maybe a pro game too) at the many "happening" local bars in Santa Monica, attend a World Peace Event on 6th & Wilshire, 7pm, New Year's Eve., (always brilliant...), ride a few Starline Tours around LA, which we will start & get dropped back off in Santa Monica=terrific! I'm ready to be a tourist, & I love Starline's open roof double decker tour buses!). Given time, we may also go to Magicopolis, on 4th Street. It would be fun to test our magic skills.! Most definitely we will eat, drink & be merry in Santa Monica!!! Wisconsin college football fans & their rivals are also staying in Santa Monica now, awaiting the Rose Bowl Football Game on Saturday!!! Parties are being set up in the Santa Monica beach parking lots for bands, etc.!! Those red shirts are everywhere! It's a great time, with great weather to buy & fraternize with lots of new people in Santa Monica. "Cheers" to you all in the New Year! Love & peace!

What an amazing Holiday Pre-Christmas Day, here in Santa Monica! The rains came for a few days last week, which was great as we could definitely use some of those loving drop-fulls. The trees & foliage echo that!!! Yes, we are known for our terrific weather and today was a day that did not disappoint! It was if summer, mixed in with a little touch of fall, decided to grace the holidays with clear skies and glorious temperatures just in time for all the Visitors to enjoy! While there may have been a few Santa Monica activities that were more challenged by those steady rains for a short period last week, don't think a few drops of rain will diminish the holiday spirit of Santa Monicans! (I include Visitors in this as well). Our Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce had their annual Holiday "Santa Costumed" Pub Crawl in Downtown Santa Monica last Saturday. "What's a few wet Santas? It was the holiday cheer & festive comraderie that was most important, & Santa Monica certainly has alot of that! Jeanie Madsen celebrated with a seasonal party at her terrific art gallery on Ocean Ave., which no rains could deter, Santa Monica shopping was still in high gear, with holiday specials & a wide selection of "unique gift finds" perfect for that last minute shopper, & Santa is still riding the tail end of the Santa Monica Pier roller coaster! A few actors were recently walking Santa Monica! Adam Sandler & his kids were seen visiting Santa & Mrs. Claus (who are amazing looking) at Santa Monica Place, and actor, Don Cheadle was walking Santa Monica with his daughter on Thursday! The walking shoes are on, the bikes are in gear, and Santa Monica is out & about enjoying this happy time of the year! Happy Holidays to all, from beautiful Santa Monica!!!!   

There is nothing more special than seeing the amazing Sealife that we have the fortune in Santa Monica to interact with everyday. I have a deep affinity for the beautiful Seagulls who glide across the sky, the jumping dolphins who give us the pleasure of their company on a consistant basis, and Sammie, the Sea Lion, or who I like to refer to him, & any other sole Sea Lion I see as, who joyfully seems to pop up his head above water than just as quickly, dive below. The smiles of happiness in seeing all these beauties is never lost. It is the Holiday time for so many. What I love about Santa Monica is the special added fixtures that make this city the great city it is. Check out the Santa Monica Pier's Rollar Coaster this festive season, as what could be more fun than Santa Claus sitting in the last seat of our popular Pier Rollar Coaster waiting for Holiday folks to arrive!!! Yes, if you are near our amazing Rollar Coaster, with a fun Holiday wreath attached to the top, and want a view of Santa Claus, plus some choice pictures with him, come down to Santa Monica Pier! The weather is beyond beautiful, and Santa is awaitin'! "Special thanks" to Megan, at Lago de Locanda Restaurant on Third Street Promenade. Lago was supplying the food & drinks for the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce & Bayside District Holiday Event on Third Street Promenade, Sunday night. On a stage platform, the Christmas tree was lit, a dancing group performed, an amazing looking Santa showed up, and before you knew it, "out of nowhere" Santa went flying for cover, & audience members took to sharing umbrellas, or the nearest alcove, as the rain decided to bless us! Yes, we have an occasional Santa Monica rain, America..., & did it ever rain on Sunday eve! Needless to say, this rare, drenching rain meant Santa Monica audience guests were invited to attend the remaining Bayside District's, Third Street Promenade's Holiday perfomances the following evening. Our amazing seasonal ice rink, ICE, in Downtown Santa Monica had it's festivities also cut short. Yet, Santa Monica always perseveres! Lago Restaurant stood up to the plate & continued to invite Chamber of Commerce & Bayside District Employees to their restaurant for safe cover, & planned amazing appetizers & drinks! It turned out to be a joyous evening with lots of great people, who came to support the Promenade's Holiday Event, and in the end, soaked or not, ended the night with great joy! "Kudo's" out to "Where LA" monthly magazine, who is highlighting our Santa Monica Downtown Walking Tours (Santa Monica Walking Tours) that are daily and year around! Check out our "Where LA" listing under Tours. Welcome to everyone from near & far who may be coming to Santa Monica, and Happy Holidays to all!!!          

What a warm, beautiful day in Santa Monica! So hard to believe it's December!! I’m excited for a friend, John Ondrasik, lead singer & songwriter for the well known group, "Five for Fighting". John just launched the new "For the Troups" CD. “For the Troops IV” includes a new roster of fantastic artists and great songs. This year’s CD has a bit more pop and a few surprises, but at its core is a thank you to those whose sacrifices secure our freedom and that of our children. Some of the music artist lineup contributing with their own songs, are Matchbox 20, with “If You’re Gone”, Wynonna, with “What the World Needs”, Five for Fighting, with “Note to an Unknown Soldier”, Barenaked Ladies, with “Four Seconds”, and Gavin DeGraw, with “Free”, plus so many more. Nice to see John sharing his love & respect for the Troops via this CD. Years ago, John & I, among many others, volunteered for the Special Olympics State Games. I was volunteer coordinator for Special Olympics for years, so it was our great opporunity to give back. It would be terrific to have John come to Santa Monica & perform soon. He has one of the best voices out there!!! Speaking of giving back. The CBS Daytime Television Show, "The Bold & the Beautiful", recently filmed on the Santa Monica Pier. Their theme was on aiding the homeless, which Santa Monica has worked very hard to do over the years. The television segments filmed here & the theme were lovely, as they showed how we all touch each other's spirit, and the power of giving back! Nice to see Patrick Duffy is still acting on "The Bold & the Beautiful" too. I have known Patrick since his Bobby Ewing, "Dallas" days. Patrick has given back alot over the years as well... St. Joseph's Center is a favorite organization of ours that aids Santa Monica & a few other surrounding areas with Housing, Senior care, Food drives, etc., all worthwhile & important causes in the community. It's an amazing day in Santa Monica to aid another (through a kind word, gesture, or even a smile!). "Special thanks" to Bill Doak, General Manager at Loews Hotel for our great meeting today! Happy Day Santa Monica!

Last night was the Third Street Promenade annual Lighting of the Menorah, & Christmas Tree Lighting Celebration! There was a little rain that cut short the performances, but tonight (Monday Eve.) at 6:00 p.m. the 1200 block of Third Street Promenade will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland with falling snow & exciting performances by up & coming, Jessarae, a talented 15-year-old singer/songwriter who began writing songs at the age of nine, Jared Lee, who performed at Downtown Santa Monica’s tree lighting concert last year. His debut single, “It’s Over Goodbye” released digitally on November 2 and he recently signed to a worldwide publishing deal with Chrysalis Music. His album “Out of Breath” produced by Mike K (Natasha Bedingfield and Nelly Furtado) is scheduled to debut in early 2011. Then Tyler Hilton will wrap up the evening’s concert. This singer, actor, songwriter, has made his mark on Hot AC radio charts as well as the big screen. His brand of Americana-Pop has garnered him much acclaim and a substantial fanbase that spans the country. Hilton is currently promoting his EP titled “Ladies and Gentlemen” and will be coming out with a full-length album titled “The Storms We Share” in 2011. Following the concert will be a CD signing and autograph session for the public. Come enjoy the celebration, Santa Monica!

Also, Hanukkah 2010 is December 1-9th. On December 7th (tomorrow), there will be a Hanukkah Puppet Show at Montana Ave. Library, for infants (ages 3 & up) & preschoolers. The festivities start at 3:45pm & end at 4:30. Happy Hanukkah to all!!!

This just in. A new & unexpected music collaboration may be in the works! Nick and Joe Jonas ( from the Jonas Brothers), were playing soccer in a Santa Monica park this afternoon. Apparently they were talking about recording with rapper, Snoop Dog. How's that for an odd, yet interesting pairing! "New" Happenings in Santa Monica!!! Love it! I'm running now, or okay, I'm actually "walking" to the Bayside District & Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce Holiday event, with the Bayside District's annual "Winterlit Celebration Tree Lighting, beginning at 6pm, followed by a reception at "ICE" (Santa Monica's terrific seasonal ice rink). There will be Holiday cheer, tasty appetizers, festive drinks, & skating gallore! Happy Sunday Eve, Santa Monica!

Happy Holiday cheer is everywhere! Especially in Santa Monica! Murphy Jensen, Tennis Pro (won the U.S. Open), Tennis Channel TV Host, & my new Santa Monica Co-hort & "Loves Santa Monica" Resident, has a funny Tennis Channel "Holiday Tips" video out! Love it! That Holiday cheer has spread all over Santa Monica. There was the Friday night, Montana Avenue Holiday Walk, which brought "lots" of locals, shopping specials, and you know I loved the "walking" aspect of this Holiday event! Saturday night was the annual Main Street Holiday Celebration, that proved to be the place to be on a festive Saturday, with great shopping finds, carolers, music, Santa, & more 'walking" adventures! Tonight, Downtown Santa Monica Bayside District & Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce celebrates with their special Holiday Tree Lighting, VIP reception for Chamber members, & ice skating at "ICE", our own Santa Monica West Coast Winter Wonderland, open till February 15th! "Jolly" times are/were in the air in Santa Monica this weekend. Love it!!!

Good Morning, Santa Monica! If you're up & about this morning & looking for a busy Saturday, well I've got a full Saturday just for you! The December International Gem & Jewelry Show is this weekend, December 3-5th, at our historic Santa Monica Civic Auditorium on Main Street! Friday & Saturday, from 12-6pm, & Sunday, from 11-5pm, you can catch this great event. Admission is $8.00. Then, if you're looking for some festive cheer & football madness, well listen close! Today, is the big annual, "much talked about" football game between rivals USC & UCLA!! Now, we all know that I am a Notre Dame fan, as my nephew has played on the team the past few years. That aside, and the fact that "Yes" Notre Dame beat USC last week. Yay! I now feel as though I can be more neutral (after all, Notre Dame "is" going to a bowl game, & USC is ineligible. Oops!) So... USC football star from years past, Johnnie Morton, who went on to successfully play in the NFL, has been jeering me in my Notre Dame affections, and I have been jeering him that Notre Dame would prevail (alot of positive energy never hurts!!!). Well Johnnie conceeded the USC loss last week quite elequently, as he is a classy guy, so I have graciously decided I would root for his Alma Mater this week. Check out Santa Monica's terrific sports bars for the USC vs. UCLA game beginning at approximately 4:30pm (Pac. Time). If you're near Main Street (the "hotspot" locale today), visit their exciting pubs like O'Brians, or Joe's Grill, and then stick around, because Main Street's Holiday Event is tonight, December 4th, from 6-8:30pm, with a great Tree lighting ceremony, a visit from good ole' Santa, music by Samohi Choir, cheerful carols gallore, a candlelit walk, & shopping specials up & down Main Street that will rival the best of em'! Then, as if that wasn't enough to wet your Holiday spirit, tomorrow (Dec. 5th), Main Street is holding their "Holiday Best Window Contest". For their ballot to secure entry forms for a chance to win a prize & vote, please check out Main Street's website: www.mainstreet.org/holiday  Happy, happy, holiday shopping, & festive joy this beautiful Saturday in Santa Monica everyone!!!

Montana Avenue Holiday Walk is tonight, Dec. 3rd, 5-9pm, so take a stroll along the 10 blocks of Montana Ave., & catch a glimpse of our planned Santa Monica Shopping Tours that are sure to excite you! (www.santamonicashoppingtours.com). Santa, with his jolly spirit & joyful frolic will be arriving with great cheer, plus terrific holiday deals will be highlighted along your festive path. As if that wasn't enough, get ready for hoppin' live music & lots of new & exciting Montana Avenue surprises! Check back too, as the Montana Avenue Walking Tours (www.montanaavenuewalkingtours.com) will be even better in 2011! With "lots" more walking advenures & unique shopping finds, you'll also experience tasty "hotspots" & our Northside unique, hidden treasures! See you shopping & singing a happy tune tonight on Montana Avenue, Santa Monica!!! Enjoy!!! PS: Santa Monica Downtown Walking Tours are highlighted in the popular "Where LA" magazine, starting this month. Remember, since 2004, we're the "daily", year around, exciting, yet informative, Santa Monica Walking Tours. Yay!(www.santamonicawalkingtours.com)

It's World Aids Day. (RED) created by singer, Bono, and Bobby Shriver, (our Santa Monica Mayor!). (RED) helps eliminate AIDS in Africa by teaming up with iconic brands=(PRODUCT) RED branded products. If someone buys a (PRODUCT) RED product, up to 50% of the profit goes to the Global Fund=provides funding to African AIDS progr...ams. Since March 2006, (RED) partners have generated $110 million. Brands include Motorola, Nike, American Express, Gap, Emporio Armani, Converse, Apple, Hallmark, Dell, Microsoft Windows, and Girl Skateboard Company. That's what is brilliant about days like today. It allows us to remember that we can all make a difference, that humanity is key, and that the future looks bright when people from all backgrounds aid a worthwhile cause. Agabhumi, on Main Street is a Balinese jewelry & gifts store that prides itself on giving back. From Karma Rescue (animal rescue), to other local causes, Agabhumi makes a point of affiliating themselves with causes that most need aid. This Saturday, December 4th, will be the Main Street Christmas Celebration! If you catch a snowflake at Agabhumi, you will get amazing discounts & surprises. What's better!!! Every good cause has a good effect if enough people care. "Thanks" to all of Santa Monica for caring year around. That is why this city looks so beautiful, & so many people look forward to visiting here! Happy shopping & giving!!

"Bravo" Herbie Hancock! So happy for you!!! Herbie, who has won multiple Grammy Awards, has been selected to perform at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony, December 11th!! Love it! I personally know Herbie, and he truly is a gem of a human. He has also performed many times at the World Peace Auditorium on 6th & Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica. Herbie truly is a maverick for peace, creating most recently the "Imagine Project", where he has traveled worldwide promoting the power of music towards peace! Here is a snippet of Herbie's Imagine Project: Pink, Seal, Indie Arie, Beck & others aid in this vision. Please click below... Beautiful!!!!

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVAQl7qq-aI