Halloween Carnival

Hundreds of thousands of Halloween revelers are expected to flock to Santa Monica Boulevard in West Hollywood tonight for the 2012 Halloween Costume Carnaval.  It's one of the world's largest Halloween celebrations - under an almost full moon! 
Q:  What happens when a ghost gets lost in the fog? 
A:  He is mist.

Postcard from Nashville

Here's a postcard from Tour Connection.  Just got back from two days of meetings and greetings.  Maria Bowers, Luxe Sunset Boulevard Hotel and me in the photo booth.

Pumpkins Get Carved

My nieces goofing around.

Pumpkin carving kicks off the Halloween season.  After getting past the stringy insides and the hundred seeds, the best tools include a good knife and a lot of stamina.  I used a melon baller for the first time this year - whatever works.  Our employee luncheon is taking place on Monday and I'm sure that the Sales Office is going to have the winning pumpkin carving contest this year!  

Getting More Exercise

After I finished two cardio express work-outs this morning I came across this cartoon.  Although I know it's good for me, there are times I'd rather be sitting in a lounge chair watching television.  But the other half of my brain protests and I get out and going for the day so I don't turn into a zombie.  For good work-outs check out www.beachbody.com and look for Debbie Siebers. Plus she's from Wisconsin; so what else can I say?  Happy Halloween!

Taschen fully loaded

Pre-order your copy of The James Bond Archives now!  In anticipation of the new Bond movie, Skyfall, our local TASCHEN Store is offering a chance to win a pair of tickets to the advanced screening of the new 007 action film.  All orders must be placed between now and November 6th thereby entering a chance to win one of five pair of tickets.  Limit one entry per customer.  Contact the store for details, store-beverly@taschen.com 

Inside Out at Italian Cultural Institute


 

'Musicantica' performing music from Southern
Italy's oral tradition.

This evening the Italian Cultural Institute held a lecture in conjunction with their exhibition, "Inside Out, Pompeian Interiors Exposed" which featured and introduction by Isotta Poggi from the Getty Research Institute and a fascinating presentation by Giacomo Chiari from the Getty Conservation Institute.  Since the discovery in the eighteenth century of the cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, archiologists have been working to preserve their finds.  These lavish villas offer us a fascinating view of ancient Roman life.  Available for viewing through November 7th in Westwood.

Thought for the Day

All politics are based on the indifference of the majority.  - James Reston

"The whole notion of the American dream described a mass upward mobility that is just a lot harder to achieve right now."  FRANK LEVY, an M.I.T. economist, on conditions that have contributed to middle class income stagnation in the United States.

Beverly Hills is New York Bound

R/A Travel well represented

Seen here with Aileen, Sales Manager at
Peninsula Beverly Hills and two agents from
Rakuten.

Every year the Beverly Hills hotels converge on new York City to promote Beverly Hills as a destination.  During the week we participate in sales calls, publicize what's new in our beautiful city and hold a reception for top travel agents.  The event was held at Le Cirque where representatives of the City including Mayor William Bryant bestowed fabulous 'visit Beverly Hills' prizes on select agents.

New York in Color

This past week was filled with sales calls on our favorite clients and the chance to make some new ones.  I traveled uptown and downtown with my subway pass in pocket.  Everywhere there were signs New Yorkers were in full autumn mode.  One day as I walked past the two lions that guard the famed New York Library, gardeners were removing begonias to make way for chrysanthemums. Pumpkins smiled back at me from windows and a few light showers washed fallen leaves in gutters.

Mad about Gonzales

Seen with Nancy Gonzales and her son
Sebastian Gonzales.

Pink Alligator

Today I had the great pleasure of joining some fabulous ladies for brunch at Neiman Marcus where they were showcasing Nancy Gonzales' latest collection.  Hurray for pink alligators!!  Models wearing the latest from Giorgio Armani strolled with stylish clutches and handbags in pastel colors.  A slice of quiche and salad later, everyone is contemplating which Gonzalez creation to add to her collection.  Hmmm, orange or green?

Traveling Light

Packing a bag lunch for the plane

Heading to the Big Apple tomorrow morning for the annual Beverly Hills Conference and Visitors Bureau sales mission.  New York is a huge source of business for our community and there are several meetings and receptions planned.  'what's new in Beverly Hills?' - just ask us.

Thought for the Day

The man who views the world at 50 the same as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
  - Muhammad Ali

Another Candle on the Birthday Cake

Thank you for your sweet Birthday wishes!!   Sally [Luxury Travel Specialist, Travel Store Platinum]

A Monstrous Centennial

This October, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrates the 100th anniversary of Universal Pictures with screenings of 13 classic horror films.  Terrifying Tuesdays began on October 2nd and runs through Saturday, October 27th with a horror double feature at Oscars Outdoors!  Last night I took in 'double feature Werewolf night'; both films I had never seen before.  In conjunction with the series, the Academy has an exhibition of rare posters, stills and artifacts, in the Grand Lobby Gallery.  For details, www.oscars.org

Happy Columbus Day

Don't be blue, be happy.

Pooch in Paris

(L) author Jackie Clark Mancuso and (R) Elyse Reichmann,
Alain Mikli Boutique.  Wearing Mikli hand crafted
eyewear!!  Be Seen!

Perrin Paris hosted a charming book signing today for Paris-Chien at their boutique on Beverly Drive.  The adventures of an ex-pat dog was so well received that even the author's dog showed up for the event. www.perrinparis.com

Pitch Perfect

Are you in the mood for a movie with a little song and dance, paired with pretty young things who are as talented as they are hilarious? Well, then you are ready for "Pitch Perfect" which was screened by Australians in Film last evening, infused with dry humor from Aussie Rebel Wilson as an amiable, spacey acappella diva.  A little cheeky and snarky but perfect for the age group they are pitching.

Destroy the Picture

MOCA Grand Avenue held a members' opening tonight for Destroy the Picture: Painting the Void, 1949 - 1962 focusing on one of the most significant consequences of the rise of abstraction in the 20th century.  It was a very exciting selection of work responding to the social and political climate of the post war period.  This exhibit marks the first time that these strategies of assaulting traditionally two-dimensional canvases have been considered together as an artistic mode of production.  Through January 14, 2013.   www.MOCA.org 

Doorbell rings and it's....

You might be expecting Halloween trick-or-treating neighbors but instead, it's the opening number of The Book of Mormon.  Ding Dong: this national tour production matches the verve, if not the sharpness, of the original Broadway production. The musical about two mismatched Mormon missionaries assigned to Uganda is a profane comedy with cheeky exuberance.  Not just a thunderous Broadway hit, it's a flippant assertion of demographic power, the irreverent voice of Gen X.  This 2011 best musical Tony winner can be seen at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood through October.

Redland's Conservancy Annual Social

The 19th annual social and membership party, held at the Jack and Norma Marrin Estate on Saturday night was get-a-way destination this weekend.  Redlands is a scorcher by day but by night, the balmy warm night and big band sound was just relaxed atmosphere this city girl required.  Throughout the evening guests could tour the 1916 home and estate grounds with four defined world gardens.  I savored the sit-down-dinner, dancing, silent auction and charming company.  And all for a good cause.

Don Giovanni

Greeting Ildebrando D'Arcangelo
post performance CD signing.

On Friday night, I had the great pleasure of attending the LA Opera.  Don Giovanni may be one of the greatest operas ever written.  The story seems to have originated with a play attributed to a Spanish monk.  Don Juan, as it came to be known, would have many new settings, by certain counts over 1,720 in the centuries following its creation.  Each age, including our own sees in him and his story as a reflection of its own worldview.  Through Mozart's masterpiece, Don Giovanni came a long way from the burlesque libertine of the original and will have an eternal life in the minds and imaginations of opera lovers.  "Chi son io tu non sapra!"