Hammer Museum 'Conversations'

The Hammer Museum offers an array of lectures and book signings available to the public at low costs or at no cost. http://hammer.ucla.edu/programs/detail/program_id/126 Last night I attended a 'conversation' with Sir Ken Robinson's new book, The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything. It's a collection of real stories about people who are "passionate about what they do and couldn't imagine doing anything else." Fascinating. You can also see him speak at http://www.ted.com.

A Contented Guest

Many thanks Wendy,
We have recommended your property to many of or friends and clients.
Regards, Gordon Kelly

Let's hope she's wrong

Things are going to get a lot worse before they get worse. - Lily Tomlin

CAFAM - two new exhibits

Revisited CAFAM this past Saturday. It's the Craft and Folk Art Museum on Museum Row, two blocks east of LACMA. They hosted two opening receptions on the 24th, Exploring the other: Contemporary Iran and Paper Cuts, 200 Years of black paper dolls. Both were beautifully exexcuted and fascinating subjects. Both offer a discerning look at our evolving cultural attitudes toward the Middle East and our own civil rights history. http://www.cafam.org/

A Contented Guest

Dear Wendy,
Carmel and I want to thank you for your graciousness in extending the terrific room rate discount to us during our stay at the Luxe. I thoroughly enjoyed by stay in Beverly Hills and will recommend your super hotel to my friends in S.F. Sincerely, Carol Hacky, Stylist

Art on the Outside

An exhibition of sculptures by Los Angeles artist Peter Shire are on view in the median at Santa Monica Blvd and Doheny Drive. Art on the Outside is a program of the City of West Hollywood and this author's opinion, 'intended to give us something to enjoy while stuck in horrendous traffic.' This photo was taken from my car window as I was stopped for the traffic light. Thank you WeHo.

The Magic Flute, Die Zauberflote

"The LA Opera production is a lavish cartoon world…and the animals designer Gerald Scarfe creates are the most bewitching this side of Broadway's The Lion King." -Los Angeles Times

What a very special evening at the opera! Legendary English visual artist, satirist, and cartoonist Gerald Scarfe designed the fantastic sets and eyecatching costumes for this Peter Hall production. The Magic Flute is both a fanciful fairy tale and an allegory hinting at deeper mysteries. Positively enchanting. If the Queen of the Night, let me borrow her costume, I could think of the perfect ocassion to wear it! http://laopera.com/

A Happy Client

Hi Wendy, I wanted to let you know that Jennifer [Albert] was fantastic to present the different location options and then suggest some special menu selections. She was great to work with and we really look forward to our lunch on Monday January 26. Best regards, Lara [KB Homes]

Good luck, Mr. President

But we know it can be done. We're in this together.

Pacific Design Center

The Art of Blake Edwards curated by Gail Feingarten Oppenheimer of Feingarten Galleries is on view at the Pacific Design Center from January 9th - 31st, 2009. One of Hollywood’s most distinguished writers/directors, Blake Edwards has also been a painter and sculptor for over 40 years. He brings to his art the same passion, elegance and humor that delights us in his films. The Center's lobby is open to the public Monday through Saturday.
Dear Wendy,
I really enjoyed meeting you, taking the tour, and loved the lunch!
Looking forward to building our professional association.
Laurence Whiting, Vice President, Pacific Design Center

Facing a new era of citizen responsibility and engagement

Barack Obama is not the only one being inaugurated on January 20th. We all are.
And that's not just because Obama has promised to make a call to service "a central cause" of his presidency. It's because this moment in history demands that we stop waiting on others -- especially others living in Washington D.C. -- to solve the problems and right the wrongs of our times. Now, more than ever, we must mine the most underutilized resource available to us: ourselves. - excerpt from http://www.huffingtonpost.com

Louise Bourgeois at MOCA

"This desire to be likeable, it's really a pain in the neck." - sculptor, Louise Bourgeois, 96

You've got one more week to view her mother portrayed as a 30-foot-tall bronze spider. At the MOCA, downtown Los Angeles, through January 25th. This is the first major survey of American artist, Louise Bourgeois's (b. 1911, Paris) work in more than a decade. MOCA organized a comprehensive exhibition as she explores various themes in a range of styles from abstraction to the ready-made. It's a rare opportunity to see many of Bourgeois's most well-known pieces reunited.

A Happy Travel Agent in her new home at Tzell Travel

Hi Wendy!
Just a quick note to sat thank you for the Popcorn! I love Popcorn and apparently so do my new office mates so we all thank you!
Christina Malik
Director of Hotel Programs [Tzell Travel]

Pippin

A truly original production of Pippin staged with Deaf West Theatre, opened yesterday at the Mark Taper Forum. First introduced in 1973, Pippin is a timeless pop musical.
There was a young boy laughing throughout the performance who was seated behind me. His spontaneous giggles reminded me that we are never too old or young to be captivated by a good story. Or some sexual double entendre. Seen here with friends and colleagues.

dineLA

This morning was the official press conference to kick-off the second annual dineLA Restaurant Week. The event was held in The Bazaar by Jose Andres at SLS Hotel with a marvelous reception following the presentation. Seen here is our Executive Chef Olivier Rousselle, On Sunset Restaurant at Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd, below Los Angeles Mayor, the Honorable Antonio Villaraigosa. It's going to be a great two weeks of dining out, January 25 through February 6. dineLA Restaurant Week brings together over 150 of some of LA's best restaurants, offering specially priced three-course menus at exclusive event pricing. http://dinela.com/restaurantweek/

Nice endorsement

"Wendy! Hello there. I just wanted to stop by & say hello and than you for everything you and your staff are doing for Takeo & Patrick. They love it here!

Thanks again and sorry I missed you, Kia Stone"

I wished the 49'ers farewell this morning and they concurred.

Thought for the day

Christmas begins about the first of December with an office party and ends when you finally realize what you spent, around April 15th of the next year -P.J. O'Rourke

A Happy Guest

P.S. The client from the [Tatler] magazine, Olya Titova, really enjoyed her stay @ the hotel - from the staff, the location and the boutique feel. She said she will be giving a glowing review to their travel editor in Russia on the her stay @ the hotel. Thank-you again. The Sagami Group

United States of Tara screening

This new series, created by Juno screenwriter Diablo Cody, has strong casting and a fresh look at multiple personalities. Tara, a suburban mom with dissociative identity disorder is played Toni Collette. Toni participated in an after-screening discussion sponsored by Australians in Film last night. Fascinating. We all went home from the reception with a DVD of the first four episodes! Seen here with George Blodwell, Editor at Large for GenLux Magazine and Tracey Montgomery, Australian Film Commissioner.

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy,
Thank you so much for the birthday wishes and the Born on this day card. I loved it. I hope you had a great New Years and hope to see you soon.
Hugs,
Antonella [Bravata] Brunello Cucinelli http://www.brunellocucinelli.com

Photo L.A.

From the earliest 19th century photographic experiments to the latest 21st century photo-based works, Photo L.A. still packs Barker Hanger with images from 70 of the top galleries and private dealers from around the world. Today was the last day of a three day celebration of everything that could possibly be photographed. Catherine Opie and Joel-Peter Witkin lectures were also available. Of course, I had to go shopping.

LA Confidential pre-Golden Globe Party

It was definitely girls night out! We got there early and gained momentum. Seen here are Fabi, Janine, me and Janice.

G'Day USA

G’Day USA Australia Week 2009 is taking place this month. Tourism Australia will be hosting an event at the Paley Center on Saturday, January 17 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm. The event is free to the public and will feature states and territories of Australia. The event will also have kangaroo petting and photograph area, theater presentations, stage performances by indigenous dancers and musicians, and face painting for children.
http://www.paleycenter.org

Not a Latin man

Hi Wendy,
it’s nice to see you in your photos! Your man looks very well… not noisy, just a little bit cold…….not a latin man!!!! JJJ
Thanks again for your lovable cooperation and all the best, Federica [ Bombelli] Responsabile settore alberghi-Hotel department manager
http://www.blueteamtravel.it/

A Happy Client

Hi Wendy,
Thank you so much for the kind birthday wish! I really enjoyed the birthday clipping, amazing how accurate it is. Always good to hear from you. I speak for myself, Dustin and Yvette, Alterna loves your property over all of the other boutique hotels.
Take care, keep in touch.
Lorie Greber, Executive Assistant, Alterna Hair Care Professionals

Wisconsin in January

I was in Wisconsin before xmas with 20 below and 15 inches of snowfall. They had another 7 inches today. Only you will get this as a fellow Wisconsinite. We went snowshoeing at our family lake near Minocqua and got the chance to blow the driveway out a few times...Just enough cold and snow to mark another year. Happy New Year! Craig Donahue, The Donahue Group

$9.99

A stop-motion animated film with a decided undertone of iron and wit based on short stories by Etgar Keret. Director Tatia Rosenthal's first short film peaked her interest in claymation and this new film exhibits a unique vision of the world, and is the first ever Australian-Israeli co-production. Seen here with Shahar Azani, Consul for Culture, Media and Public Affairs, Consulate of Israel.

A Happy Travel Agent

Can’t believe I ever gave out my birthday to anyone…….!
Thanks for the card…………and the description of someone born on Jan X fits me to a tee!!!
Stephen [Miny] New Act Travel

*X to protect the birthday recipient

A Happy Travel Agent

Hi Wendy,
Thank you for the hot chocolate. The Senior Director of Kitchen Operations is whipping it up right now. Cheers!
Dan [Dan Davidson] President, Magellan Vacations

Rockefeller Center

What would a tourist stroll around mid-town be without Rockefeller Center? It's a must-see on everyone's list, especially at this season of the year. The lines were long and the crowd was thick; exactly as it's supposed to be.

From Milwaukee to the Big Apple

The New Years weekend finale was Fifth Avenue. If Neiman Marcus won the window decorating contest in Beverly Hills, then Bergdorf Goodman won hands-down in New York. They highlighted the seasons of the year with white gowns from all the great designers.

Got myself a new man

Sledding - screamed my head off all the way

The hill was pure ice covered with a bit of newly fallen snow. I screamed my head off all the way down the hill on my first run. I'm not used to that low center of gravity and had no way of judging the grooved-in-bumps from two weeks of snow, melting snow and re-freezing snow. Glad I don't live there any more. AAahhhhhh!

Holiday presents

There are always those holiday gifts that parents wish Santa hadn't brought. What was the jolly fat man thinking when he left Chloe a drum set?

Happy New Year!

I went home to Milwaukee for New Years Eve again this year. As we approached MKE, the skyline was a rosy pink color and the ground was covered in patches of grey ice or snow. Brown roofs of houses dotted the landscape and brown leafless tress spread their brown branches skyward. It all looked pretty dreary for a girl who grew up in a brown house and whose father drove a brown station wagon. But my view brightened a whole lot when my brother picked me up for the ride home. Seen here are my nieces' smiles.