Alas, the end of summer

Today the sun will move from the Northern Hemisphere to the Southern Hemisphere.  It will pass overhead everywhere along the Earth's equator on the date, and the sun will rise exactly in the east and set exactly in the west.  Day and night will be roughly equal length.  Equinox is derived from the Latin for "equal night".

The Roman Pool at the Hearst Castle with its gold and blue color
scheme and stylized star patterns. Built between 1927 - 1943.

Auction of a lifetime

This evening the public got a chance to preview the auction items from two legendary estates at Julien's Auctions Gallery in Beverly Hills.  This landmark auction event marks the sale of the personal property, antiques and memorabilia from the estate of Bob and Dolores Hope and the first lady of comedy, Phyllis Diller.  The rooms contained items from Hope's more than 60 year career in entertainment.  The exhibition is open to the public through Thursday, September 19th.  The live auction begins Friday, September 20th, for two days.

Extraordinary costumes, wigs and jewelry from Phyllis stage and screen career.

Her signature blond wig, long cigarette holder and self-deprecating
humor made her a cultural icon. 

Travel Fact

A new study revealed that web access is the top hotel amenity for business travelers at 62%.  Reaching family back home was the best de-stressing method for nearly half of respondents, at 47%  A vast majority of respondents, 83%, said they would be much happier during a business trip if they have free Internet access.

Enjoy the long weekend

It's Friday!!  Enjoy the long week...it started hours ago.  What are you waiting for?

Herstory

Women's Equality Day was celebrated in West Hollywood this week honoring the Women's Advisory Board's 20 years of service to the West Hollywood community.  Monday was the 93rd anniversary of the 19th amendment to the U.S. Constitution granting women the right to vote.  Keynote speaker was Grammy Award winning recording artist and feminist icon, Helen Reddy.  Her song, "I Am Woman" launched a generation of young women destined to be leaders.

Full Sturgeon [Moon]

     This month's full moon, which rises on Tuesday (August 20th) is not just a Blue Moon - it's also the full Sturgeon Moon, the Full Red Moon, the Green Corn Moon and the Grain Moon.  Today's full moon qualifies as a Blue Moon because it's the third full moon in the season with four.  A 1946 article in "Sky & Telescope" magazine mistakenly defined a blue moon as the 2nd full moon in a single month (since moth months have only one full moon), and it stuck.
     Although August only has one full moon, tonight's qualifies as the third full moon in a four-full-moon season.  Both Native Americans and early European settles added their own names for the full moons to the lexicon.  The annual August full moon has come to be known as the Full Sturgeon Moon, because sturgeon can most easily be caught at this time of year according to native tribes in the Great Lakes region.  Another name is the Full Red Moon because the weather conditions can make it look reddish when it rises.  And finally, because crops grow tall at this time of year, the moon is also known as Green Corn Moon or Grain Moon.

Pet Friendly

This is the kind of dog I need for the office.  As a 'pet friendly' hotel, even the department heads bring their dogs to work some days.  In sales the pressure is always on and I can't quite believe a goldfish would have the same impact.

Travel Facts

The luxury travel sector has performed a rapid rebound from its slump during the downturn and is poised to grow even stronger as renewed confidence in the economy continues to spur affluent consumers to return to traveling, observers say.  The segment has also received a new, thriving market composed of younger luxury travelers on the lookout for unique adventures.

Bar Bites

Florida, oh, Florida

Everyone says it rains a lot in Florida.  Maybe they're right.  I drove three miles in a rental car before I figured out how to turn on the wipers.  Forgot to get those instructions before I drove out of the Fort Lauderdale Airport.  

Windows of the hotel lobby before it rained.  Scary.

Hollywood Bowl Forever

Tonight was no exception.  The Hollywood Bowl ended with a bang.

Travel Fact

In the wake of recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court supporting marriage equality, hotels, particularly those in California, which will become the 13th state to offer legalized gay marriage, are poised to reap the benefits.  California will host approximately 37,000 same-sex weddings over the next three years among couples who will spend almost $500 million, according to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law.  As a point of reference, during the first year gay marriage was legal in New York State, it generated $259 million in New York City alone.

Grand Performances

Tonight's program at Gran Performances at the California Plaza celebrated women through a variety of musical styles.  The evening began in the sub-Sahara with the graceful a capella music of Adunni and Nefertiti, a Nigerian women's company with renditions of their native folklore.  Followed by Martha Redbone with warm melodies from the American south mixed with Native American roots.  Bluegrass, folk and country gospel from selected William Blake prose was refreshingly performed.  And finally LA's own Dessy di Lauro delivered some neo-ragtime.  Audience members picnicked and danced the night away. www.grandperformances.org for the balance of the calendar.

Horoscope

July 3, 2013, LA Times read: Sometimes the past is like something seen in your rear view mirror.  When it feels like memories are holding you back, step on the gas.
In the process of making over my apartment.  It all started with an offer from my landlord to paint.  Three weeks later, all of my stuff is in boxes in the middle of the living room or piled on top of the dining table.  Somedays I don't know where to begin.  But throwing some stuff away or making donations is a great way to start.

Forgetful

Almost forgot what I was going to write about tonight.  Ah.  My train of random thoughts circled 'round it was all about forgetting things.  Getting lost in the minutia.  Starting too many e-mails and forgetting where I put the drafts.  It's about the small things in life.  Found it!

Summer Is Officially Here

In North America, the summer solstice began today at 1:04 AM, EDT.  Sol + Stice derives from a combination of Latin words meaning "sun" and "to stand still".  As the days lengthen, the sun rises higher and higher until it seems to stand still in the sky.  As a major celestial event, the Summer Solstice results in the longest day and the shortest night of the year.  The northern hemisphere celebrates June, but the people on the southern half of the earth have their longest summer day in December.

Superman in the 21st Century

Man of Steel Steals Heart

In anticipation of "Man of Steel" screening with Australians in Film, I caught up with the Superman at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills.  The Center is currently showcasing Television Out of the Box, an exhibit by Warner Brothers.  There's also the Flintstones car on display as well as sets from your favorite shows such as Friends, Big Bang Theory, True Blood and more.  Open Wednesdays to Sundays 12 noon to 5:00 PM.  www.paleycenter.org

The Autry in Griffith Park

Visiting the Autry in Griffith Park was the perfect way to spend the early afternoon especially considering that I went there for the weekend Autry Farmers Market, which only takes place on Saturday!  Note to self.  We found instead Katsina in Hopi Life, featuring remarkable Katsina dolls from the Autry's Southwest Museum of the American Indian Collection.  We were given a glimpse into  Hopi life and culture through the Katsinam who are spiritual beings, representing all aspects of life lessons.  Through December 1, 2013.

Travel Fact

Free breakfast is on the menu at more hotels than ever.  Hotels are adding complimentary breakfasts as a way to attract guests and give them more value for their money.  Last year 79% of hotels offered free breakfast, up from 55% in 2010, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association.