Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,
Just received your Happy Birthday note & wanted to thank you.
Kind regards, Linda [Kasten]
Sue Brown Travel

Summer Specials - eat, drink, be merry

- Hot New Summer menu at Café Rodeo!
- Special summer cocktails and bar bites every day during Happy Hour at Bar 360
- Book your special event by July 30th for a complimentary cocktail or Champagne toast for each of your guests
- Any questions? Our Director of Special Events is awaiting your email. Jennifer.Albert@luxehotels.com

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy, Thank you so much for the birthday card. That was very sweet of you!
Hope all is well with you!
Best regards, Laurie [Bentley]
All Star Travel Group
A member of Tzell Travel

John Baldessari: Pure Beauty

As an artist, John Baldessari has worked in the gap between painting and photography for the last 45 years. After visiting the Los Angeles County Museum of Art's big retrospective of his exploration of language and image making this past Saturday, the two come into focus. Organized by LACMA in association with London's Tate Modern, the show dedicated to the LA-based artist, surveys Baldessari's brilliant rummagings from the early 1960's extending to his classic film-still compositions of the 1980's. Must see: June 27 - September 12th http://www.lacma.org/

Street treats

The PROST luncheon on Friday took place at Susan Feniger's STREET on Highland Blvd.. The restaurant drew a large crowd and the concept was perfect for the diverse group of members representing tour operators, hotels, airlines and travel agents. We all agreed that the Ukrainian spinach dumplings, Indonesian peanut noodles and Burmese melon salad were outstanding. Seen here with birthday girl, Kathy Smits, Beverly Hills CVB and my host Stephanie Nakasone, also from BHCVB. http://www.eatatstreet.com/

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

It was a lovely birthday card that I received in the mail. Sweet.
Have a great day Wendy and I look forward to seeing you soon.
xxoo
Paul [President/CEO, Burditch Marketing Communications, Los Angeles + San Francisco]

Humble Beauty

Last evening I attended the screening of a powerful documentary which traced the lives and work of several artists from LA’s Skid Row, one of the largest concentrations of homeless people in the United States. Despite living in devastating conditions, these artists produce an incredible range of work. Their stories demonstrate the universal human need to create and how making art can literally save lives. The Craft and Folk Art Museum hosted the event as a community service. Check out their very interesting gallery exhibitions and one of the best museum gift shops in town. http://cafam.org/

Seen in the Luxe lobby

In 1945, Bill Carroll photographed Norma Jeane Dougherty, a charming teenager with a great smile, on a beach in Malibu. Today, he's showing those photos in an exhibit at Andrew Weiss Gallery on South Beverly Drive. Now in his 90's, Carroll will be in conversation at the gallery to discuss Becoming Marilyn: the photos that started it all. He believes that he captured the real, untainted Norma Jeane, beaming with light brown hair, flowing from pose to pose without even a prompt. Carroll paid her $20 for her day's work of modeling so he could use the best of the pictures as a display at his film processing laboratory. He never saw her again and in fact, it wasn't until 1968, six years after her death, that he stumbled across a box of slides entitled, Norma Jeane. What a find and what an exhibition. Running through September 18th. http://www.andrewweiss.com/

Travel Fact

Tourist attractions in California, also known as the Golden State, draw more than 13.4 million international visitors each year, according to the California Travel and Tourism Commission. In addition to foreign guests, California attractions host millions of out-of-state residents and locals who enjoy amusement rides, dining, outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Hi Wendy,
Just received a very unexpected birthday wish from you, so nice and I love getting special, surprises. As you would know, Lyn's birthday is the day after mine and as all good Geminis, love all little interesting pieces of research, about us.
The quote from Author Hervey Allen, is something I really try to live by, each day....
lets hope it helps to retain some youthfulness, in some small way !
It was great to meet with you, Lyn speaks so highly of you and I can see why.
Hope to be in touch soon and thanks again, for the kind thought.
Cheers,
x Karen [ShowGroup Travel]

Well suited

On another note, our neighbor Brooks Brothers paid homage to Father's Day with two vignettes in the lobby of Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive: business suit dad and casual hang-out at the beach dad. Which ever dad you are, we hope that you had a very special weekend.

Concours d'Elegance 2010

The Concours D’Elegance held on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15, from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm drew more than 30,000 people to Beverly Hills. Vintage cars lined the sidewalks of Rodeo Drive on this special day to celebrate the automobile equivalent of Rodeo style. This year in a honor of British Style, Jaguars and Classic British racing cars were be displayed outside the hotel along with classic vintage automobiles. The day’s activities were free and open to the public and were presented by the Rodeo Drive Committee and sponsored by Luxe Rodeo Drive Hotel. Seen here with a 1949 Hebmuller by Volkswagen.

Bel-Air Magazine launch

Jennifer Albert, Luxe Director of Special Events, and I attended the sequin studded launch party of Bel-Air Magazine on Friday night. The location of the party was so secretive that we all had to park at UCLA and take shuttle buses to the estate overlooking the San Fernando Valley. What a view and what a house. I commented to Jennifer during the tour that I would be perfectly comfortable in the apartment above the garage. The outdoor cocktail party featured a live auction with proceeds going to Children's Hospital Los Angeles.

Stylechic tip for the week

Military and Safari: Military motifs are everywhere. Cargo greens are bot on point and practical. Utilitarianism is a laid back luxury we can all afford. http://www.stylechicla.com/

Dear Bookworms

Hi Wendy-
Thank you for the fabulous birthday wish – you are the best!!! And at this age, that fiddle’s tune should be very sweet indeed! I also wanted to alert you to upcoming events that you’ll definitely want to add to your busy schedule:
Our semi annual Warehouse SALE starts Friday, June 18th at 10 am and lasts until Sunday, June 20th. And a book signing Wednesday, June 30th from 7 to 9 here at the store!
I hope to see you soon!
Best- Rob [Hudson]
TASCHEN Beverly Hills, 354 North Beverly Drive

Summertime and the buying is easy. You are invited to TASCHEN's blooming summer Warehouse Sale! To make room for our amazing 30th Anniversary collection, they are clearing out thousands of slightly damaged or dusty (not rusty) books. www.taschen.com. If you haven't visited, this is the perfect opportunity to do so.

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy
Hello. What a beautiful poem….thank you very much
Please have a good care of them [our guests]
Best regards
Francis [Contreras] President & CEO [Travelworld of Coronado]

Whatever Floats

Nancy Rubins, an artist known for using materials such as electrical appliances and airplane parts in the name of sculpture, has turned her palette to aluminum this time. Canoes that is; in her new installation at Gagosian Gallery on Camden Drive in Beverly Hills. The assembled pieces tied together with wire cable to a steel armature resemble branches scraping the sky or a gaggle of geese in flight. In the north gallery are large-scale drawings, completely covered in graphic, like metal shards. And upstairs at Gagosian, photo collages are innovativel constructed from images of boats. Nancy Rubins: Skins, Structure, Landmasses definitely worth a visit. http://www.gagosian.com/

Thought for the day

Computers make it easier to do a lot of things, but most of the things they make it easier to do don't need to be done. - Andy Rooney

Tea Party

Jennifer,
Wanted to send you a special Thanks and let you know our Hi Tea Party event was a success at Cafe Luxe. I've attached a picture so you can check out all the ladies who really enjoyed themselves. Look forward to working with you in the future. Best, Nicole & Jonie

World Cup Fever

Feed your World Cup fever by ordering lunch-to-go from Cafe Rodeo and spending your break at The Paley Center for Media during the free live daily World Cup match telecast. For only $12, the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive is offering a variety of boxed lunches for an 11:30 AM broadcast. Call Cafe Rodeo 310-691-7655 for delivery.

Travel Fact

According to the World Tourism Organization, the largest industry of the current world is not automobile and petroleum but tourism. As early as the beginning of 1990s, the economic aggregate of tourism accounted for more than 10% of the world's GDP, and its number of employed people amounted to over 8% of the total global employment. Tourism has superseded automobile and petroleum as the largest industry in the world. It has increasingly become an important symbol of modern economy and social development. Happy trails to you!

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy,
Thank you so very much to you and your staff (stay was great!) for such a nice welcome, for lunch and site at your lovely hotel… right on Rodeo drive, how cool is that!
The lunch was delicious, the truffle fries (have been craving them all week!) and Tuna tartare were to die for… and of course the Cakebread wine was such an amazing treat thank you!
Looking forward to 2011, I’m sure we’ll speak in early September or before.
Kind Regards, Tracey [Director, Travel Services/Conde Nast]

Six Taste

I had the great pleasure of dining with Jeff Okita last Saturday, founder of Six Taste, Los Angeles food tours and culinary tasting walking tours. He has organized some great food tours of Los Angeles in which groups get to learn more about food, history and culture in some of LA's distinct neighborhoods. Affordable half day tours - all food included. http://www.sixtaste.com

Best in Beverly Hills

This week the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce honored the best in Beverly Hills with a gala dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel last night. Richard Frank of Lawry's Restaurants received the Lifetime Achievement Award. He joined the family owned enterprise in 1950 and plays a major role in the family business still. Congratulations to Lawry's for their exemplary contributions to the community. And to the newly installed BHCC Board Chair, Todd Johnson! Earlier this week at a farewell reception at Brooks Brothers for Jim Jahant, General Manager and 2009/2010 Board Chair, we enjoyed the opportunity to network and connect to friends old and new. Seen here with Ihab Kharma, Corporate Design Manager for Avakian, Jenny Leeser, Boutique Manager of Catherine Malandrino and Mike Letizia, Regional Vice President for Brooks Brothers.

A Happy Client

Wendy,
It was a pleasure staying at your hotel- the Luxe is such a gem and so is the staff you have working there. I look forward to sleeping again in that dream of a bed on our LA trip!
Best, Samantha
samantha [artist relations assistant, global communications /nars cosmetics, inc.]

Thought for the day

"If you foolishly ignore beauty, you will soon find yourself without it. Your life will be impoverished. But if you invest in beauty, it will remain with you all the days of your life."
--Frank Lloyd Wright, American architect

Goal!

The Paley Center for Media on Beverly Drive in Beverly Hills joins soccer fans from around the planet to enjoy the excitement and drama of thirty-two nations competing in the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.™ The Paley Center's celebration of this global event includes live feeds of the games, screenings of cultural programming from our collection, an interactive web component to share favorite pics of your own soccer games, and a multimedia exhibit starting June 11th. Visitors who come to watch the games here will find themselves in a unique environment of African art and culture created by artist/photographer Joseph Peter. World Cup coverage will be capped by a lively viewing party with food and drinks to cheer on the last two nations in the final game on July 11. For schedules check http://www.paleycenter.org/

Concours d'Elegance

Inspired by the singular man of style himslef, Austin Powers, Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive is offering a one-night package for dads of all ages, starting at $279. The uber cool 'Yeah, Baby' Father's Day package was inspired by Rodeo Drive's Concours d'Elegance held from 10AM to 4PM on June 20th. Indulge in some male bonding and old fashioned ogling while you cruise the annual car show, featuring Jaguars and classic British racing cards. Vrrooom! http://www.luxehotelrodeodrive.com

A Happy Client

Dear Jennifer: We had a most delightful and memorable luncheon in your Cafe the other day which all of us enjoyed tremendously. Thanks again to you and your wonderful staff for making this possible. Very much looking forward to working with you again. Best regards, Horst
Horst Schwarte, Tour Development Manager [Dailey-Thorp Travel, LLC]

Boxed lunches available through Cafe Rodeo

I love you MUCH…
Thank you so much…
Next time I’ll have the blanket. XO Kim [HBO Travel]

Puppets while you drive

Ever wish you had something to distract you while you are stuck in traffic? A new, LA based venture began presenting puppet shows to drivers sitting on highways today providing a new distraction for commuters. These dramatic performances will be shown from the back of a white pickup truck with an FM broadcaster, allowing drivers in the area to tune into a particular frequency and listen in. You’ll be able to find the Superclogger on different freeways around the city or follow the artist on Twitter at @superclogger10. Who knows, you might actually get a few moments of enjoyment out of your evening commute.

A Happy Client

Dear Wendy and April,
Thank you very much for organizing my recent stay at Luxe Rodeo Drive.
I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the hotel and have fallen in love with L.A.! The room amenities were great and the bed extremely comfortable. All staff I encountered were very courteous and attentive and the hotel location is fantastic.
I will have no hesitation in recommending Luxe Rodeo Drive to our customers and I will definitely be returning very soon!
Thank you once again for all your assistance. Warm regards, Melissa [Account Manager, MP Travel Pty Ltd]

MOCA: Arshile Gorky

This past Saturday, MOCA opened Arshile Gorky: A Retrospective on the West Coast. This legendary Armenian-American artist, who produced some of the most significant paintings of the 20th century, was honored with a party and Armenian music for members only. The exhibit is open to the general public through September 20th. Don't miss this full scale survey of Gorky's unique life and his gripping and profoundly personal paintings. Seen here is Betrothal I, 1947. http://www.moca.org/

Stylechic tip for the week

Petal Power: Dress the way spring looks in pure prettiness. Stay close to nature in frocks inspired by flowers. Shades of Pale: The season's purest shade is unexpectedly so chic. The neutrals have 'it' - beige, flesh and khaki. Brought to you by http://www.stylechicla.com Rodeo Drive awaits you!

Thought for the day

Creativity can solve almost any problem. The creative act, the defeat of habit by originality, overcomes everything. -George Lois

American as apple pie

Brooks Brothers launched a bow tie collection just in time for the summer season. Exclusively designed and inspired their heritage of mixing vivid patterns and colors, the Social Primer founder, K. Cooper Ray, has created a playful take on this classic. The American made bow ties have been re-imagined with a traditional yet irreverent perspective. Using pure silk or cotton fabrics, the collection features reversible styles that create many ways to wear the bow tie. Last evening’s party proved just that. The waiters, bartenders and many of the guests dandied about in seersucker and tie. It would have made my handsome grandfather proud. And K. Cooper Ray was delightful! Seen here with one of my favorite Brooks Brothers fashionistas.

A Happy Client

Thank you Wendy! The travelers that have stayed there, have loved it.
Take care, Tricia [Manager of Travel Administration, TJX Companies, Inc.]

One Enchanted Evening

On stage a the Ahmanson Theatre through July 17th, is the Lincoln Center Theater production of South Pacific. Imagine two islands in the South Pacific during World War II, music and lyrics by Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, and a great touring cast. Rod Gilfry, Grammy nominated baritone could sing Some Enchanted Evening day or night. It's always been one of my favorite musicals and if you know me real well, you can ask to see my brother in his coconut bra during the Honey Bun number, staged in our family living room. http://centertheatergroup.org