Liquid Light

I attended the opening reception on Friday at the The Museum of Design Art and Architecture in Culver City. They highlighted a spectrum of California's new generation of light and space artists. Overall MODAA explores the symbiotic relationship between art and architecture. Curated by artist and architect, Judit Meda Fekete and underwritten by Studio Pali Fekete architects http://www.spfa.com/, their exhibitions represent organic synapses where different expressions of art and design meet, play, and return inspired.

Thought for the day - Happy Labor Day

Take a rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." Ovid, Roman poet.

A Happy Guest

Wendy,
Thank you for the tasty lunch yesterday - kudos to your new chef! It was great to see you and to catch up on everything. Sincerely, Lynn Frangos, Annual Fund Officer for MOCA

War of the Worlds

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences hosted a centennial celebration last evening: George Pal, Discovering the Fantastic. Pal's Hollywood career began with "Puppetoons", animated shorts, and continued with live-action feature films. He created indelible images of futuristic space flights, invading Martians and journeying through time. His pioneering efforts in visual effects spectacles inspired films that are today's blockbusters. After a lively panel discussion, they screened War of the Worlds. The Time Machine was my first Pal movie in 1960 and to this day, it scares the dickens out of me!

An Evening with the Mayor

At Greystone Mansion last evening the mayor gave his annual state of the city address. Our neighbor, Il Fornaio hosted dinner and dessert. Pictured here with Maria D'Auria, restaurant manager and Chef after sampling all of the sweets! It's my weakness.

Celebrate your right to vote!

This evening the City of West Hollywood commemorated the 88th anniversary of the 19th amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America, which granted women the right to vote. Keynote speaker, Zoe Ann Nicholson read excerpts from her book, The Hungry Heart, and encouraged a lively discussion. She concluded with a marvelous quote: "If you are a long term activist, redouble your commitment. Your service will make a difference, in both the world and in your heart. If you are not sure where to begin, pick one thing you feel passionate about. Do one bold thing for another woman or girl." Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)

Met him last week

Photographs by Prabir Purkayastha

On Saturday, I attended New Dimensions in Color at the Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Beverly Hills. It was an Asian Group Show which included seven unique and influential Asian artists. A special exhibit of photographs by Prabir Purkayastha, who has been traveling and photographing Ladakh for the past 15 years, was breathtaking. In April 2005, Prabir published his award winning book, Ladakh, which took a decade to write, documenting the Tibetan plateau; its people and landscape. http://www.beverlyhills@sundaramtagore.com

A Happy Client

Hi Wendy,
Your property is gorgeous. I look forward to working with you on more promotions.
Ashley Byers, Assistant Producer at Travel Zoo

Happy Birthday, Margit

It's Margit Haut's birthday! We got her a gift certificate to Burke Williams and Sprinkles Cupcakes. I hope her tongue turned red from all those red velvet treats. Happy birthday, Margit. “The secret to staying young is to live honestly, eat slowly, and lie about your age.” - Lucille Ball
As for the photo of Margit with Dario Van Der Lundin Videla from EuroPanache writes, "Dear Wendy, Thank you so much for sending me this wonderful picture, we look fab! With kind regards, Dario"

Twilights at the W

Citysearch.com invited publicists to the W Hotel's Twilights in The Backyard this evening, holding court in one of the poolside cabanas. I was Susie Dobson's guest, Luxe Rodeo's PR darling. What fun to make my own margarita and mingle as the sun set. Andrei Najjar, CEO of Bonwit Teller, commanded another cabana. Who knew that Bonwit was going to make a comeback by the end of 2010? Pictured here with Julie Baerwald, Director at Citysearch, Mar Yvette, Senior Editor.

Thought for the day

There are two modes of transport in Los Angeles: car and ambulance. Visitors who wish to remain inconspicuous are advised to choose the latter. -Fran Lebowitz

Traitor Screening

Overture Films hosted a marvelous reception last night for their latest film, Traitor. The Egyptian Theater was the setting for the screening and two of its stars and writer/director were on hand to meet and greet. I ran into George Blodwell, editor-at-large for GenLux magazine in the crowd of film goers.

A Happy Guest

Your entire staff was amazing.....from the bellman when I arrived to the time I departed
everyone was beyond accommodating! I had just arrived from New York where we sat
on the runway at JFK for 6 hours before taking off on a 6+ hour flight.....they had run out
of food and ice and I have a fractured foot so it was pretty miserable.....however, when
I checked in to your hotel and went directly to the bar for a cocktail and dinner I immediately
forgot how bad the day had been....your bartender (I believe his name was Scott) and
all the wait staff were adorable.....I am calling to make a reservation for October 6th and 7th
today! Congrats on a well run operation!
Beverly Lowry, VP of Sales, Pastry

Precision Travel

Met some of the lovely ladies from Precision Travel, Dallas office, at the Luxe Worldwide Hotels party. What a treat to finally put the names and faces together.

Luxe Worldwide Hotels

Las Vegas at last! On Saturday night, Luxe Worldwide Hotels hosted a smashing good cocktail party at Simon in the Palms Place Hotel. We had a private room on the 6th floor, a full moon and a junk food dessert table from heaven. The temperature outside on the patio, replete with bartender, d-jay and cabanas was 110 degrees. It felt like God was blowing a giant hair dryer on us. Pictured here is a group of affiliate hotel sales managers and me with Chef Kerry Simon. http://www.luxehotels.com/

I walked the line

I'm way too young to have experienced Ellis Island, but I have little doubt that United Airlines had faithfully replicated it at LAX on Saturday. Lines crisscrossed and people bunched up into bundles of luggage carts and strollers. The line moved so slowly that I made it to the front at 11:15, only 3 and a half hours after my flight departed. Apparently there was a 'security breach' somewhere in the terminal and we were all backlogged and directionless. Every person in a burgundy blazer pointed in 'an over there direction' to the 500 driftless passengers in zig-zag queues. In the end I made it to my destination but not without a few hours of frustration.

New Website

Hi –
When did you launch your new website?
http://www.luxehotelrodeodrive.com/
Looks great!
Steph [Stephanie Nakasone]
Business Development Director
Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau

A Happy Client

Hi Wendy,
We had a totally hair raising scramble onto the train- We made it by seconds only. To be advised that there was a problem on the line and we'd be held up for 3/4 hour . Can you believe it? Thank you so much email. I was often asked where I was staying and I was confident in saying The Luxe as it always impressed, Many Thanks & do contact me if you are ever in Sydney.

Best Lee [Lee Leslie Mgmt]

Resource Wars

Having missed the opening of "Resource Wars" at Sundaram Tagore Gallery in Beverly Hills, I made a point of visiting the gallery today. Only a few blocks from Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive, the aerial photography was bleak, dramatic, vast and delicate. From this elevated vantage point, the pieces conduct geological surveys from the skies. Subhankar Banerjee's portfolio skillfully combines rich visual reverences to photographic and painterly traditions. Through August 17th, this little known American landscape has such dramatic perspectives! http://www.sundaramtagore.com/

Economic Development

The Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce held their Economic Development Council meeting at Spago on Wednesday. The topic for for the panel discussion was the economic impact of tourism in Beverly Hills. You can imagine that the room was packed - if only all of our hotels were sold-out like this luncheon! I'm seen here with members of the Beverly Hills Conference & Visitors Bureau.

Australians in Film party

Last night's AiF party gathered together new members and volunteers at a festive poolside soiree. Delicious wines by Penfolds and Rosemount Estate and Australian Gold Beer kept everyone happy. Joining the Board were guests Elissa Down, director of The Black Balloon, Martin Dingle Wall, actor and producer, and Terri Tucker, Joan Stein both US lawyers who love Australian film. Journalists James Swanwick and Sal Morgan chatted with Sylvia Walker Wilson who recently completed post production supervision on John Adams for HBO. Seen here with Kenn Macrae who, along with his brother, won Project Greenlight Australia. Here's the trailer for his film http://www.kennmacrae.com/

A Happy Travel Agent

Hello Wendy,
Thank you again for setting up my hotel stay. Steve and I had a fabulous time. We enjoyed the room and it's fabulous location! You're the best! Warm Regards,
Inda May - Manager - Travel Department, Carlson Wagonlit Travel Onsite for Trust Company of the West

Getty Museum

Barbie said it best, "Surf, shop and see what’s new…there is so much for a girl to do in LA." On Sunday morning I met the hotel's publicist at The Getty Museum for the Bernini baroque portrait sculptures. Marvelous and the view is breathtaking. We stopped for coffee and and I went on to view the photography exhibits and Merian 'portraits' of flower and insects. I have always been fascinated with entomology and still have my butterfly collection at home to prove it. She left her mark as an artist, scientist and entrepreneur, raising the standards of natural history illustration. I continued my journey in the world of exotic arrangements of butterflies, lizards and flowers by sitting down and coloring with the six and seven year-olds who had gathered. Therapeutic. http://www.getty.edu

Catalina Jazz Club

Lucky to see legend Hugh Masekela's performance at the Catalina Jazz bar on Saturday. I was there with a friend who was an enthusiastic spectator. I have now joined the fan club. Masekela began singing and playing piano as a child. At age 14, after seeing the film Young Man with a Horn which portrays American jazz trumpeter Bix Beiderbecke, he took up playing the trumpet. His first trumpet was given to him by Archbishop Trevor Huddleston, the anti-apartheid chaplain at St. Peters Secondary School. Hugh is still very tied to his South African roots and it was a joy to be in his company.

Les Miserables at Hollywood Bowl

Brian Stokes Mitchell returned to the Hollywood Bowl in the role of the obsessive Javert in the Bowl's production of Les Miserables over the weekend. I dashed out of the hotel on Friday night, donned my work-out clothes which I had in trunk, picked up some Chinese food and purchased an inexpensive bench seat under a glorious starry night. At intermission, I withdrew my sack of chicken and vegetables to find that there were no utensils included. Thank you, John Paul and Jasmin, who were sitting next to me, for sharing their extra plastic cutlery and a bottle of Asahi. Strangers who rescued my evening and my take-out food. I am most grateful.

This is what it's all about

Maybe this has happened to you? My lower back spasmed this morning and I'm sitting at my desk in agony. "Relax", everyone tells me. Take two ibuprofen. I can barely stand up.

A Happy Client

Thanks Wendy! My wife and I had a great stay....Joe
[Joe McGhee, Chairman & CEO, American Biosurgical]

Orthodontia

What a sweet phone call from my niece. Those pesky braces have finally come off and she's on to the next tooth straightening device. Will this never end? In the meantime, she's indulging in taffy, chewing gum and tootsie rolls. Soon it will be back to gruel. Okay - just kidding. But it seems that we miss the sticky stuff most when we can't have it.

A Happy Client

Hi Wendy,
I just wanted to say thank you for the warm welcome our guests received yesterday! They all love their rooms and have asked about moving in!!
Thank you in advance for your response.
Best regards,
Rebecca [Moskal], Director of Marketing, Beaudry

A Happy Client

Hello Wendy
I would just like to say, again, thank you so much for your time and taking us through the Luxe Hotel Beverly Hills during our stay in Los Angeles.
We all loved your property … what a fabulous location!!!
Once again, thank you so much … and if there is anything I can assist you with, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Kind regards
Sharon [Sharon Brown] Account Manager NSW & VIC, Air New Zealand

Griffith Observatory

Over the weekend, I went to the Griffith Observatory, which I haven't seen in years! What started as one man's vision (no pun intended) to provide the citizens of LA with a park and observatory, became a state-of-the-art, immersive planetarium theater which has welcomed 70 million visitors since 1935. Since it's renovation in 2002, the public space has doubled without changing the building's historic exterior that we so love in "Rebel Without a Cause". http://www.griffithobservatory.org/