Speedbump

It's already been tried.

Naomi Wolf interviewed for ALOUD at LA Public Library

This evening Lear Center Director Marty Kaplan spoke with Naomi Wolf about her most recent book, Give me Liberty: A Handbook for American Revolutionaries. It was a stirring reminder that it's possible to preserve this democracy but it's up to each and every one of us to get inspired and make a difference. Wolf is probably best known for her international bestseller, The Beauty Myth. And as an author of six other books she passionately speaks to an American movement for democracy and the rule of law. The ALOUD series of lectures, readings, performances and discussions is presented by the Library Foundation of Los Angeles at the Los Angeles Central Library [downtown]. http://www.lapl.org

A Happy Client

Thanks a million for your help......you were amazing, as usual.... THANKS
Nathalie Dubois, DPA Suites

The Getty Museum

On Saturday afternoon, The Getty Museum invited a few friends to view the newest acquisition: a rate Ethiopian Gospel book, written in the Ge'ez language and illuminated in the profoundly expressive style that characterizes Ethiopian painting. The image of the seated evangelist John is an excellent example of the Gunda Gunde style of manuscript painting. Following the reception, we were treated to a docent tour of the exhibition, Faces of Power and Piety: Medieval Portraiture, showing through October 26, 2008. What a marvelous contrast to modern portraiture. http://www.getty.edu/

Madame Chocolate

See what Madame Chocolat and the Playmates make for Hug Hefner's Birthday on the season premier of The Girls Next Door. Sunday, October 5th. Madame Chocolat is only 3 short blocks from the Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive and we love Hasty Torres, Chocolate Executive Officer. http://www.madame-chocolate.com/

Seen at the Luxe

Today, E! Entertainment personality, Debbie Matenopoulos interviewed Jenny McCarthy for Daily 10 in our Rodeo Drive Penthouse. McCarthy passionately believes that diet and vitamins helped her son recover from autism and is actively involved in autism-related causes. She has recently authored a book, "Louder Than Words: A Mother's Journey in Healing Autism". To read more about autism and the author, http://www.GenerationRescue.org Thank you, Jenny, for your perseverance and faith.

Creepy Classics at The Paley Center

Weekdays during the month of October, The Paley Center for Media is showcasing Horror on Television, celebrating six decades of diversity and vitality within the genre. Featured shows include creepy classics such as The Twilight Zone, Kolchak: The Night Stalker and Trilogy of Terror, up to more modern frightfests such as The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Supernatural.
On the weekends they offer kid-friendly fare such as The Munsters, Dr. Seuss’ Halloween Is Grinch Night, It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown and The Simpsons: Treehouse of Horror series. http://www.paleycenter.org/

JackFM auction

Dear Wendy,
You are very welcome. We are also very thankful for this partnership and value the relationship with LUXE a great deal. We will continue to do our part to promote your fine hotel.
We look forward to working with you in the future. Thank you, Tom [Webb] Director of Business Development,
HotelReservations.com was advertising with the top radio rock station in Los Angeles, JackFM (http://www.931jackfm.com/). Owned by CBS, they aired a few streaming ads on their site but the real campaign began on the 20th of August and went through the 20th of September. They expected a much larger crowd this year. The bands scheduled were 80's rock as in past concerts at the Verzion Amphitheater, in Irvine. Luxe was one of the sponsors for the Grand Prize Weekend give-away. http://www.hotelreservations.com/

Happy New Year!

Rosh Hashanah begins today! Thank you to Alan Gordon for the photo.

Make Cheese, Not War

Alexis celebrated his 50th birthday in style with good friends, pot luck, champagne and cake. He just got back from a trip to New Orleans and we're glad he's here to stay.

Good Morning Dearest Friends! I want to say thank you again for a fantastic birthday weekend! Your emails, voicemails, texts, skype phone calls, delicious dishes, many bottles of champagne and wine, thoughtful gifts, yummy cakes.....well what can I say ...............Thank you Thank you Thank you Gracias and Merci beaucoup !!!!!!! I look forward to seeing or talking to you soon! Con mucho carino, Alexis

Algonquin West Hollywood Literary Award

Last year the West Hollywood Book Fair celebrated Dorothy Parker and her literary tribe by establishing the Algonquin West Hollywood Literary Award. This award is given to a writer who has made signification contributions to the world's literary landscape; this year's recipient was Luis Rodriguez, poet and activist. The Book Fair, developed seven years ago, has promoted and encouraged reading, writing and literacy and featured more than 300 authors and performers. "A Marvelous Party with Noel Coward" offered a staged reading of Coward's most beloved plays.

A Happy Travel Agent

Thank you SO much for the card and birthday info. Nice touch.
A partner in travel,
Michael K. Murphy
Traveltrust-Corporate Office

Adrianna Myers at Tory Burch

Congratulations Adrianna! You've been at Tory Burch for a whole week and we all hope you're having the time of your life. We miss you on Rodeo Drive but wish you the best. Seen here with Joe Sena, Gucci General Manager and Janine Masaki, Etro Boutique Manager. http://www.toryburch.com/

Manolo Blahnik honored

A well-heeled crowd came out for the Rodeo Drive Walk of Style Awards Ceremony honoring Manolo Blahnik on Thursday. The evening's cocktail reception at Two Rodeo was filled with fashion conscious celebrities and admirers. Seen here with Janine Masaki, Etro Boutique Manager and Jason Schmidt, Bally General Manager and his wife.

Seen in Cafe Rodeo

I had the privilege of having drinks with Haitian born photographer, Marc Baptiste, last night on Cafe Rodeo's outdoor patio. We found some great people watching and I got to ask him a hundred questions about his fashion and celebrity work. Looking forward to his next book!

Showroom at the Luxe

hi! Thx again for this [invitation to see your new showroom], and i don't think i thanked you for the birthday card! You are always so thoughtful!
Hope to see you soon
xx tom [Mesquit from UTA]

A Happy Travel Agent

Wendy, Thank you for thinking of me on birthday
Very appreciated, Naomi
Cassis Travel Services, Inc.

Martin Kippenberger - The Problem Perspective

Saturday night at the Museum of Contemporary Art on Grand Avenue, MOCA mounted the first major retrospective exhibition in the United States of Martin Kippenberger's complex body of work. It's a very ambitious collection ranging from paintings, sculpture, works on paper, installations, posters and books. Kippenberger's life was inextricably linked to the culture of his time, beginning in the mid-1970's to his untimely death in 1997. I'm going to go back for another look! Seen here with Lynn Frangos, Annual Fund Officer for MOCA. http://www.moca.org/

2008 Performers Emmy Nominee Reception

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences held a reception to honor the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards Nominees for outstanding performances on Friday night at the Pacific Design Center. Wonderful people watching! This is the closest I'm going to get to a statue.
Watch it tomorrow night on ABC 8/7 c.

Dove Chocolate

Dove Chocolate

Akira Kurosawa

The Academy launched its three-month celebration of master filmmaker Akira Kurosawa with an evening highlighting a dynamic new exhibition as well as the digital restoration of Kurosawa's early masterpiece, Rashomon (1950). The film's innovative approach cemented Kurosawa's international reputation as a significant creative force. Hosted by film critic, Kenneth Turan, for the opening panel discussion, the feature presentation was welcomed by the sold-out house of Kurosawa fans. Don't miss future film presentations nor the exhibits, check http://www.oscars.org/ Pictured here with Vanessa Baran assisting Mr. Tak Abe.

Share a chocolate moment with someone you love.

Oh, my! This is the best week of the whole year. Dove is the official chocolate for the Emmy Awards and I have been shipped 18 cases to share at our front desk. Each piece of DOVE® dark chocolate is individually wrapped with a special PROMISE® note inside. I opened a rich dark chocolate vitalize today and my message was "Believe in yourself." I will. I will eat more tomorrow!

9 to 5, what a way to make a musical

To think that this 1980's film, a farcical feminist fantasy, became such a mega-hit. In the original script, three office workers concoct a plot to kidnap their boss, a "sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocritical bigot" played by Dabney Coleman. Not much has changed except that there are a lot of musical numbers, some terrific staging and creative choreography in between the plot lines. This is of course the precursor to Broadway, so for my money I'd like to see Franklin Hart played less vulgar and more buffoon. That would be funnier. After all, social change hasn't kept pace in politics nor in the workplace.

A Contented Guest

By the way Wendy, I LOVE your blog. I thought this was a link to the hotel. Great way to keep people in touch. You have to teach me how to become BLOG LITERATE. We will catch up soon I know. Have a wonderful week,
Kelly Hill [Pernod Ricard USA]
Sr. Manager of Events & Sponsorship

Register to vote! History repeats itself.

A lot of people mistake a short memory for a clear conscience. -Doug Larson

A Happy Travel Agent

Dear Wendy:
As always, you are so thoughtful as to remember my birthday. And I love the stamp on the envelope with the chef carrying the birthday cake. It is fabulous.
Hopefully, we will see you soon in our neck of the country. Have a good day and again, thanks so much for remembering.
Best, Barbara [Jahss] Tzell Travel

LA Confidential

LA Confidential held a reception in the Rodeo Drive Penthouse tonight for 120 of their intimate friends from Rodeo Drive. There were abundant copies of their fabulous new 'Fall Fashion Musts' Issue. Chopard, Perrier Jouet and Eres were the sparkles, bubbly and icing on the cake. Seen here with Anya Leiderman, Boutique Manager at Domenico Vacca.

Dating again

Girl A: "I hear you’ve met the perfect guy."
Girl B: "Oh, yes he’s a bad dream come true."

The House of Blue Leaves

The Mark Taper Forum has reopened and it smells like new floor covering. Divine. And the newly designed restrooms are so spacious that I almost went again during intermission. They opened with The House of Blue Leaves by John Guare. The story takes place in 1965 in Sunnyside, Queens, New York City. Zany and bitter-sweet. Thanks to WHERE magazine, I had a wonderful evening.

A Happy Travel Agent in their new home at Tzell Travel

Wendy,
We all want to thank you for your goodies and kind words!
We are so happy that we will continue working with you.
Thank you again.
Jody [Jody Bear], Bear & Bear Travel

A Happy Travel Agent

Thank you! You are so kind. We had such a great time at your party!! Thank you for thinking of us. Hope to see you all soon in Dallas!
Jane [Blizzard], Precision Travel - a Virtuoso Agency

Happy Birthday, Melissa

Friday, September 5th, we celebrated Melissa Morgan & Kevin Kanner Dual Birthday Bash at The Foundry on Melrose Avenue. Miss Morgan will be playing again on Monday night at The Mint on Pico @ Crescent Heights. It's a wonderful old club that they keep open for jazz on Mondays. They start at 10 PM.

Good luck, to the Maxx

Hello Wendy,
Thank you so much for that lovely birthday note it was unexpected! I have a new e mail address and I am going to continue as Maxine Banks Events and I will retain my current client list as well as hopefully new potential clients. Anyway I am off to my event today so give me a call or e mail if you would like to have lunch.
Kind regards, Maxx [Maxine Banks Events]

Greek Day

"Opah," I vowed to myself as I prepared for my Greek Day. I began at Jan's Family Restaurant on Beverly Blvd across from another Luxe Hotel, The Elan. The Greek owned coffee shop has all the usual fare but with a few added choices. I went for the scrambled eggs with feta and tomatoes, coffee and the LA Times. Then I headed east for the 10th Annual Greek Fest at Saint Sofia Greek Orthodox Cathedral on Pico Blvd, in the Byzantine / Latin Quarter of Los Angeles. Initially, I took a tour of the magnificent church, awed by the huge chandeliers, stain glass window, gold work and mosaics. Then I walked through the carnival booths and ended up standing in front of the dance floor. Mesmerized by the music, I admired dozens of festival goers who were enjoying themselves, forming chains of synchronized legs. In the end, I couldn't resist the sweet honied baklava and bought a second slice to-go.

The Art of Hospitality

The Los Angeles Concierge Association, LACMA and WHERE magazine invited the concierge and hotel community to celebrate the Art of Hospitality this evening at LACMA. More than 100 vendors offered sample menu tastings from some of L.A's best restaurants, including On Sunset at Luxe Hotel Sunset Blvd and Cafe Rodeo at Luxe Hotel Rodeo Drive. As the sun went down over BCAM, their courtyard offered the perfect space to mingle among friends, old and new. Pictured here are Chef Matthew Gladstone and Tal Golan, Director of Guest Services. Plus, the Simpsons, Dana, Susie, Margit and me.

A Happy Guest

The man that checked us in was great. He was extremely helpful. We will definitely be back. Thank you, Jonathan Fine, Sting Systems.

Mitzi Gaynor dances!

The Paley Center for Media is honoring Mitzi Gaynor’s birthday (09/04) during the week of September 3rd. They will be screening her dazzling variety specials from the 1970s at 12:30 pm everyday. I walked over the Center at noon and viewed a half hour in the cool dark auditorium and enjoyed her dance and sing with 101 celebrity men. Seen here listening intently to Gary Browning, Visitor Services Manager. http://www.paleycenter.org/

Celebrity Sighting

Ashlee Simpson was seen leaving Luxe Hotel on Rodeo Drive before heading over to Maxfield for some shopping yesterday. Chances are this won't be the last sighting we'll have at Luxe!

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/